🇲🇦MoroccoNorth Africa
Eko opens Marrakech Comedy Festival with tribute to the city's spirit
via Le Matin3 min read
The Marrakech Comedy Festival commenced with DJ Red Supa setting a festive mood, followed by Eko's entrance dressed as a "guerrab" water carrier, accompanied by the Bola Bola Dekka Marrakchia musical troupe. Eko's performance paid homage to this iconic Marrakech figure, blending tradition with self-deprecating humor. The evening featured performances by several comedians. Amine Belghazi, introduced by Eko, captivated the audience with childhood-inspired humor and observations on Moroccan family life. Eko later reappeared in a suit to introduce Soufiane Figuigui, who explored family dynamics and the impact of a new sibling. Ghita Kitane, an actress and speech therapist, delivered a rhythmic act about the Africa Cup and Morocco's victory. Saifeddine Settif humorously discussed the Moroccan mother and the country's cultural diversity. Malik Bentalha performed a comedic duo with Eko, referencing Moroccan culture. Marouane Nbalssi offered a humorous take on Moroccan culinary traditions and family rituals. Azzedine Fetouhi and Ahmed Boudrouze concluded the comedic acts, and the inaugural night ended with a musical performance by Mounim Slimani. The festival, running from June 4 to 6, includes solo shows and galas, with Nordine Ganso and Malik Bentalha scheduled for Friday, and Yassar and another Malik Bentalha gala on Saturday.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Argentina has ascended to the top position in the latest FIFA rankings, displacing France. This shift occurred despite Argentina not having played a match since their 5-0 victory over Zambia in early April. France, now third, has also been surpassed by Spain, which holds the second spot after a 1-1 draw against Iraq on Thursday evening. The sports newspaper L'Équipe suggests that the rankings are likely to change further in the coming days before the World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19. France is set to play a final preparatory match against Northern Ireland, while Argentina will face Honduras and Iceland, and Spain will play Peru. L'Équipe also notes that losing the top spot might not be a disadvantage for France, as no team leading the FIFA rankings before a World Cup has gone on to win the competition since the ranking system's inception in 1993.
The Atlas Lions have arrived in the United States to continue their preparation for the 2026 World Cup. This follows an initial preparation phase that concluded with a 4-0 victory against Madagascar. The national team is now based in New Jersey, where they will undergo an acclimatization period to adjust to the time difference and local weather conditions.
The Théâtronissa project, born from a collaboration between cleaning staff at the Institut supérieur d’art dramatique et d’animation culturelle ISADAC and students from the Cultural Animation and Scenography programs, aims to give a voice and visibility to these often-unseen women. The initiative, led by Ayoub Aït Bihi, sought to create a space where their personal stories and dignity could be transformed into artistic expression. The project involved psychological support workshops with a specialized professional, followed by body and voice work, and then listening and exchange sessions where life stories were shared. These narratives were then developed into a scenographic and dramaturgical creation titled "Zeman," which will be presented on Saturday, June 5, at ISADAC. The performance is open to the media, cultural professionals, community organizations, and the general public, offering an authentic and proud representation of the participants' experiences. For ISADAC students, the project provided valuable training beyond technical skills, allowing them to draw inspiration from everyday life. The project received support from the institution's director, Latifa Ahrar, who advocates for a conscious, engaged, and socially open approach to theater education.
Must ReadOCP Group is preparing a bond issuance of up to 5 billion dirhams to strengthen its position as a global leader in phosphates and accelerate its transition towards renewable energies, green ammonia, and water autonomy. The Moroccan Capital Market Authority has approved a perpetual subordinated bond issuance program for a maximum of 5 billion dirhams. The subscription period is scheduled from June 11 to June 15, 2026, and is exclusively reserved for qualified Moroccan investors. CDG Capital and Attijari Finances Corp. are acting as advisors, while CDG Capital and Attijariwafa Bank will handle the placement of the securities. This fundraising is part of a broader investment program initiated by OCP in 2008 to enhance its competitiveness across the phosphate value chain and support its evolution towards a more sustainable industrial model. Following a first phase focused on industrial and logistical capacity development, the group is now engaged in a new investment cycle featuring large-scale mining, energy, and technological projects. A key objective is to increase the production capacity of plant nutrition solutions from 16 to 19 million tons of fully sustainable products by 2027, supported by a new mine in Meskala and a new industrial complex in Mzinda. OCP also aims to power all its industrial facilities with clean energy sources, including solar, wind, and cogeneration, and to achieve water self-sufficiency through new desalination capacities. A strategic focus is the devel