The archaeological site of Chellah in Rabat hosted an official celebration marking the 10th anniversary of Moroccan-Italian cooperation in preserving and promoting the Morocco's heritage (2015-2025).
The event highlighted the outcomes of projects completed under this successful bilateral cooperation, with senior officials from both Morocco and Italy in attendance.
This cooperation, part of the Debt-for-Development Swap Agreement, was signed by the governments of the two countries in 2013. It includes archaeological sites such as Chellah, Volubilis in Meknes, and Lixus in Larache, with a budget of €3 million.
In a speech, Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, stated that Morocco and Italy share exceptional ties, emphasizing that the two countries, centers of artistic innovation and creativity, have chosen culture as the cornerstone of their history for centuries.
He further emphasized that under the leadership of His Majesty the King, Morocco has made the preservation and promotion of heritage a central priority in its public policies.
For his part, the Italian Ambassador to Morocco, Armando Barocco, said that the two countries share a rich history in the Mediterranean basin, highlighting the deep-rooted cultural relations between them.
The diplomat noted that the Moroccan community in Italy, which is the largest community in the peninsula outside of those from Europe, is an example of integration and success, and a source of pride for both Italy and Morocco.
This celebration, organized in partnership with the Italian Embassy and the Italian Cultural Institute, featured an opera recital consisting of arias by Rossini, Mozart, and Verdi, to the applause of the audience.
MAP: 13 mai 2025
