Moroccan pavilion unveils «Materiae Palimpsest» at 2025 Venice Biennale
The Moroccan pavilion at the 19th edition of the International Architecture Exhibition – the Venice Biennale – was inaugurated on Friday in Venice, according to a statement from the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication.
Morocco's participation in this event, which runs from May to November 2025, is the result of a collaboration between the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication and the Ministry of National Territory Planning, Urban Planning, Housing, and City Policy, the statement specifies.
This participation marks a significant step in promoting the richness and innovation of the Moroccan artistic and architectural scene on an international scale, through which Morocco will present an innovative project called «Materiae Palimpsest».
Designed by the talented architects Khalil Morad El Ghilali and El Mehdi Belyasmine, this project explores the theme of «earth architecture» by combining traditional Moroccan craftsmanship with contemporary digital technologies.
«Materiae Palimpsest» aims to redefine the perception of collective intelligence in the act of building and to highlight the potential of Moroccan architecture in the face of current environmental and social challenges.
The Moroccan pavilion will offer an immersive experience in the art of earth construction, emphasizing its sustainability, flexibility, and intrinsic beauty. Through a multiscale approach, the exhibition will explore the transmission of knowledge and the principles of the circular economy, the statement concludes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
19 hours ago
- Morocco World
Toto's Dream Comes True on Mawazine's OLM Souissi Stage
Fez– On Saturday, Moroccan rapper Toto made a memorable mark at the Mawazine Festival by performing on the prestigious OLM Souissi stage. For Toto, this was more than just a concert; it was the realization of a long-held dream. Known for his honest lyrics and deep connection to his roots, Toto had always aimed high. The OLM Souissi stage, often reserved for global superstars, was a symbol of success he quietly worked toward for years. His performance showed not only his talent but the power of persistence and belief in oneself. From the first song, Toto's passion filled the venue. The crowd responded with excitement, drawn to his authentic style and the way he blends traditional Moroccan sounds with modern rap. It was clear this moment was a reward for years of hard work and dedication. Toto's journey is a story of ambition. He started with small shows, building a loyal fanbase through raw, honest music. His rise to a top spot at one of Morocco's biggest festivals reminds us all that dreams can become real when matched with effort and heart. The show was a celebration, not just of Toto's success, but of the growing space Moroccan rap now holds on the big stages. Toto's performance sent a message: with patience and passion, barriers can be broken. This night at Mawazine meant more than a personal milestone for Toto; it touched the hearts of everyone who has ever dared to dream and worked quietly behind the scenes. It reminded us that success is born from patience, passion, and staying true to who you are, even when the road feels long and uncertain. Tags: MawazineOLM SouissiToto
Morocco World
20 hours ago
- Morocco World
Shereen Abdel Wahab Criticized for Playback at Mawazine
Fez– After nearly a decade away from Moroccan stages, Egyptian superstar Shereen Abdel Wahab made her long-awaited return at the closing night of the Mawazine Festival in Rabat. Her performance, heavily promoted as a headline event, was met with excitement and nostalgia. But what began as a celebratory comeback quickly turned into a night of unexpected tension. The singer, known for her powerful voice and emotional stage presence, opened her set to thunderous applause. Yet minutes into the concert, murmurs began circulating among the crowd. Observers noticed that something was off: Shereen appeared to be singing to a pre-recorded track. It didn't take long for frustration to surface. Several attendees realized she was performing in playback, and some left the venue in protest. For a festival that prides itself on live music and international caliber performances, the use of backing vocals or full playback is a sensitive issue, especially from a headliner of Shereen's stature. The moment sparked widespread unease among the audience, many of whom had waited years to see her live. Facing mounting pressure from the crowd, Shereen shifted course. Responding directly to calls from the audience to sing live, she took to the microphone without the playback track and continued her set with her real voice. The gesture, though late, was welcomed by the audience, and the energy in the venue gradually began to recover. Despite the rocky start, Shereen managed to salvage the evening with a selection of beloved hits and emotional tributes. She performed some of her most iconic songs alongside classics from the golden age of Arabic music. A standout moment was her rendition of Um Kulthum's 'Alf Leila Wa Leila,' a performance that reminded many of the vocal talent that made Shereen a household name across the region. Another emotional highlight came when she sang 'Ma Ta'tazeresh,' a song she said holds special meaning for her due to its melody, composed by star singer Majid Al Mohandis. She dedicated the track to the Moroccan audience with a heartfelt message, seemingly aware that she needed to rebuild trust after the playback incident. The Mawazine Nahda stage also witnessed chaos and confusion on Saturday evening when Shereen Abdel Wahab's entrance was unusually delayed, allegedly due to a sudden financial dispute with festival organizers, sparking widespread anger among attendees. Converging reports said Shereen refused to go on stage at the scheduled time because she had insisted on receiving her fee in cash, which was not met; the organizers insisted on payment via bank transfer. This disagreement led the artist to defy the announced program, delaying the start of her performance by more than an hour. The unexplained delay provoked significant unrest among the crowd gathered at the Nahda stage, with boos and whistles erupting amid widespread frustration over the lack of communication from the festival administration and calls for respect toward the audience who endured the wait. This incident placed the Mawazine management in a difficult position, especially as Shereen's concert was one of the most anticipated events of this edition, given her immense popularity in Morocco. While the night didn't go as smoothly as many had hoped, Shereen's ability to regain control of the stage and reconnect with the crowd in real time helped shift the mood. Still, the controversy sparked by her use of pre-recorded vocals will likely linger, raising questions about performance authenticity in an era where spectacle often trumps substance. Mawazine remains one of the Arab world's most high-profile music festivals, and expectations for its closing acts are always high. Shereen's return was historic, but not without lessons. Tags: backlashMawazineShereen Abdel Wahab
Morocco World
2 days 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
