Rabat recently hosted a high-level forum dedicated to exploring the creative dynamics of Benin and the broader challenges of artistic cooperation across the African continent. Organized through a partnership between the “Arkan” Association and the Bank Al-Maghrib Museum, with the support of the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, the event emphasized the central role of arts and culture in fostering intercultural dialogue and achieving sustainable development in Africa, with Benin featured as the guest of honor.
Held under the theme “A Window on Benin: Insights into the Beninese Artistic Scene,” the symposium provided a platform to review the efforts of various stakeholders in promoting art within Benin and across Africa. Participants engaged in deep discussions regarding professionalization, the transfer of skills, artist mobility, and the circulation of both artworks and specialized knowledge.
During the proceedings, Joseph Ahahanzo, the Ambassador of the Republic of Benin to Morocco, praised the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI regarding South-South cooperation. He noted that recent agreements signed between Morocco and Benin place significant importance on the cultural sector. The diplomat also stressed the critical necessity of intergenerational knowledge transfer to preserve the African continent’s collective memory and artistic expertise.
Abderrahmane Ouardane, President of the “Arkan” Association, highlighted his organization’s fundamental role in championing African arts and heritage preservation. He explained that the “Africa Generations” initiative aims to position contemporary creativity as a catalyst for personal growth and the development of cultural projects across the continent. Recalling the origins of the partnership with Benin during the first International Arts Festival of Benin, Mr. Ouardane lauded the rich creative exchanges between Beninese and African artists, reaffirming a commitment to maintaining this cultural bridge between Morocco and Benin.
Rochdi Bernoussi, Director of the Bank Al-Maghrib Museums, explained that supporting this initiative aligns with the institution’s strategy to value cultural expression and shared heritage. He remarked that Moroccan identity is continuously enriched by its historical, ethnographic, and artistic ties to the African continent. Furthermore, Mr. Bernoussi called upon economic and banking actors to increase their support for the creative sector, viewing it as a vital link in building a robust and inclusive cultural economy.
Ulrich Adjovi, President of the International Arts Festival of Benin, discussed the structural role of international artistic events in showcasing creators. He revealed that the next edition of the festival, which brings together the seven major arts and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and international media, will host Morocco as the guest of honor. Mr. Adjovi praised the “Africa Generations” initiative as a platform for direct exchange between sister nations, stressing the urgent need to establish a genuine cultural economy that allows African artists to live with dignity from their craft.
In addition to the symposium, this first edition of the “Africa Generations” initiative includes an artistic residency in Benslimane scheduled for October 11–20, 2026, followed by an international exhibition of contemporary art at the Bab Rouah Gallery in Rabat from October 21–30. The event brought together diplomats, cultural stakeholders, and prominent figures in African creativity to celebrate the vitality of contemporary art and establish new dynamics for South-South cooperation.
