
Casablanca's Rooftop Comes Alive for Nuit des Musées 2025
Casablanca – Casablanca hosted a national event on a Thursday aimed at democratizing access to art and highlighting Morocco's thriving contemporary scene.
Casablanca's Myriem Himmich Gallery welcomed the event, which was held under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI.
Under the theme 'Transitions,' the event was organized by the Fondation Nationale des Musées, featuring a collective exhibition that included 25 emerging and established artists from Morocco and abroad.
'This is about giving visibility to creators we don't often get to meet,' Hicham Abkari, Director of Arts at the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, told Morocco World News (MWN). 'From painting to sculpture to mixed media, this exhibit offers a rare panoramic view into Moroccan creativity today.' Casablanca hosted a national event on a Thursday aimed at democratizing access to art and highlighting Morocco's thriving contemporary scene.
Each work in 'Transitions' explores impermanence, identity, time, and transformation, a fitting theme for a night designed to make space for artistic exchange. For some artists, that theme took a deeply personal shape.
'I've been acting internationally for over 20 years… But when filming ends, I go back to my room, I buy magazines, I cut them up, and I create something.' Karim Saidi told MWN. His exhibited collage, first started in 2013, reflects years of solitude between film sets. 'This piece is just one of over thirty that Myriem Himmich plans to present soon.'
From the deeply personal to the universal, the exhibit found room for the cosmos. Emerging artist Sahar Saïagh stood proudly beside her acrylic paintings inspired by astrophysics. 'Besides art, my other passion is science,' she told MWN.
'I did a lot of research on what these planets are made of, the colors, and what exactly the images that we have are, which are usually just calculations and representations of what our technology is able to capture. And so I tried to use that and open up my mind about how I'm able to imagine what life out there is like.' Casablanca's Myriem Himmich Gallery welcomed the event, which was held under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI.
Meanwhile, Noam Chaoudri, better known as nono1dessine, brought a charming touch of cultural travel to the gallery. 'My characters, a man with a tarbouch and a woman with a hat, travel Morocco together,' he explained. 'I'm thrilled to be exhibiting here tonight alongside so many other Moroccan talents.'
But the exhibition wasn't confined to canvas. As the sun dipped behind Casablanca's skyline, DJ ReqTeq filled the gallery with beautiful music.
No less memorable was the food. Curated by chef Baya, the culinary experience paired gourmet precision with creative flair. Every little dish reflected the evening's larger theme, art in all its forms.
The rooftop itself became part of the show. As the city lights slowly illuminated the horizon, guests enjoyed breathtaking views over Casablanca's vibrant streets. With the golden hour glow, art and the city's energy merged into one seamless experience. The crowd was full of fashion, energy, and real appreciation for the arts.
The crowd was full of fashion, energy, and real appreciation for the arts. Actress Imane Wassila echoed the sentiment: 'I came to see the work of Karim Saidi and Mohsen Bassir, but I left discovering so much more… We have art in Morocco.'
Whether between government officials and emerging painters, seasoned filmmakers such as Nour-Eddine Lakhmari and scientists, or strangers, art became a common language for connection throughout the night. Tags: Myriem Himmich GalleryNuit des Musées 2025
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Morocco World
10 hours ago
- Morocco World
Moroccan Author Zineb Mekouar Wins Henri de Régnier Prize from French Academy
Rabat – Moroccan writer Zineb Mekouar has won the prestigious Henri de Régnier Prize from the French Academy (Académie Française) for her second novel 'Souviens-toi des abeilles' ('Remember the Bees'), published by Gallimard. The award was announced on Thursday as part of the Academy's 2025 literary prize list. The Henri de Régnier Prize is given as support for literary creation. It is one of 71 prizes awarded this year by the French Academy to honor achievements in literature, poetry, history, philosophy, cinema, music, and more. 'I'm very moved to receive this beautiful prize, given by the French Academy, an institution I admire and respect immensely,' Mekouar said in a statement to Morocco's state news agency MAP. The author explained that the prize shines a light on both her writing and the themes explored in the novel, such as motherly love and the urgent need to care for the Earth. Set in the ancient collective beehive of Inzerki in Morocco, which is considered the world's oldest and largest traditional apiary, 'Souviens-toi des abeilles' also pays tribute to local Moroccan heritage. Mekouar dedicated this prize to the people of Inzerki, who she said welcomed her so warmly. The novel has already received acclaim in France for its poetic style and delicate treatment of climate change issues. It was one of the French Academy Goncourt's summer 2024 favorites and appeared on the first selection list for the 2024 Jean Giono Prize. In addition, 'Souviens-toi des abeilles' won the 2025 Folire Prize, which spotlights the connection between mental health and community life. Born in Casablanca in 1991, Mekouar has lived in Paris since 2009. Her first novel, 'La poule et son cumin' ('The Hen and Its Cumin'), published by JC Lattès in 2022, was a finalist for the Goncourt Prize for First Novels and was also selected as a summer favorite by the Goncourt Academy in 2022. Tags: AuthorZineb Mekouar


Ya Biladi
15 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Hassan II Foundation launches 26th cultural stay for Moroccan children abroad
The Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans Living Abroad is hosting the 26th edition of its «Cultural Stay» program for summer 2025 at its socio-cultural center in Kenitra, running from July 5 to August 19. This educational and cultural initiative aims to deepen the connection of Moroccan expatriate children to their homeland and strengthen their cultural identity through a summer experience blending entertainment, learning, and exposure to Moroccan heritage. This year, the program welcomes 960 children aged 9 to 13, divided into four consecutive ten-day sessions: July 5–14, July 17–26, July 29–August 7, and August 10–19. Participants come from various countries across Europe, Africa, and the Americas, including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Canada, the United States, and Palestine. The first session opened with 237 children from France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and Tunisia—136 boys and 101 girls. France leads in participation with 121 children, followed by Italy with 41, then Spain and Belgium with 25 and 24 respectively. The program offers a wide range of artistic, educational, and sports activities, including art workshops, cultural visits to landmarks such as the Mohammed VI Museum and Bouregreg Valley, film screenings, and cultural evenings. Sports activities include football, swimming, handball, volleyball, and video games, some culminating in competitions with symbolic prizes. Since its launch in 1998, the «Cultural Stay» program has benefited over 17,782 children out of 20,607 allocated spots, achieving a 91% completion rate. Participation has been predominantly male (65%), with encouraging growth in female attendance in recent years.


Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan actress Kaoutar Boudarraja passes away at 40 after battle with cancer
Moroccan media personality and actress Kaoutar Boudarraja passed away on Friday morning at the age of forty, following a quiet but difficult battle with cancer. Despite her deteriorating health in recent months, Boudarraja chose to face her illness privately, stepping away from the spotlight and public life. She passed away at her family home after being discharged from a private clinic in Casablanca, where she had been receiving care. The news of her passing was confirmed by her close friend, jewelry designer Maryam Al-Abyad — known as «Mimi LeBlanc» in an Instagram story. According to media reports, Boudarraja was laid to rest in a private, intimate ceremony in accordance with her wishes. The funeral was attended only by close family and a few friends.