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Marrakech Comedy Festival's first edition a success with public and talent
via Le Matin7 min read
The first Marrakech Comedy Festival concluded after three days of performances, laughter, and interactions, confirming the Moroccan public's enthusiasm for comedy. Held at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, the event brought together Moroccan and Francophone comedians to establish a new cultural event dedicated to comedy in the city. The opening night, directed by comedian Eko, featured an Arabophone gala that was sold out and immersed the audience in a world blending Moroccan traditions, self-deprecation, and social commentary. The show highlighted a new generation of Moroccan comedians while celebrating popular local figures, with a stage design inspired by Jamaa El Fna square. Eko, dressed as a "guerrab" and accompanied by the Bola Bola Dekka Marrakchia troupe and DJ Red Supa, launched the evening with a mix of music, humor, and Moroccan cultural references. He introduced artists like Amine Belghazi, Soufiane Figuigui, Ghita Kitane, Seifeddine Settif, Marouane Nbalsi, Ahmed Boudrouze, and Azzedine Fetouhi, each presenting their unique styles. A highlight was the appearance of Franco-Moroccan comedian Malik Bentalha, who shared segments with Eko, incorporating references to Moroccan culture. Organizers noted that the opening night exceeded expectations, with tickets selling out weeks in advance. Karim Debbouze, producer and co-founder of the festival with Malik Bentalha, stated that this successful launch is a significant step in establishing a long-term event. The festiv
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Must ReadRachid Yazami, a world-renowned Moroccan electrochemist and inventor of the graphite anode for lithium-ion batteries, believes Morocco has significant advantages to become a major player in the global electric battery industry. Speaking from Singapore, Yazami highlighted Morocco's phosphate reserves, strategic geographical location, free trade agreements, established automotive industry, and skilled workforce as key assets. He emphasized that the global energy transition is a strategic necessity, driven by rising fossil fuel costs and geopolitical tensions, making countries capable of producing and storing energy better equipped for future shocks. Yazami sees the rise of LFP lithium, iron, phosphate battery technology as a major opportunity for Morocco, provided the country moves beyond raw material export to industrial transformation. He cited the upcoming gigafactory in Kenitra, a joint venture with Gotion High-Tech, as a historic turning point, fulfilling his 2014 prediction for a Moroccan lithium-ion battery plant. This factory, the first of its kind in Africa and the Middle East, could establish a new industrial sector for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Yazami stressed the critical importance of quality in battery production to compete with global leaders like China, Korea, and Japan. He expressed confidence in Moroccan engineers and technicians, foreseeing the development of fully Moroccan-owned gigafactories by 2032. Geopolitically, Morocco's strategic
A Francophone gala was held on Friday as part of the first Marrakech Comedy Festival, celebrating an evening of artistic exchange, audience engagement, and cultural outreach. The event featured a program uniting various contemporary Francophone comedic styles. Hosted by French comedian Malik Bentalha, the festival underscored Marrakech's role in hosting cultural events open to both Moroccan and international audiences, while also providing a platform for Francophone artists with diverse and complementary writing styles.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has predicted Morocco will win the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. In a prediction exercise for "The Guardian," Mamdani envisioned an exceptional journey for Mohamed Ouahbi's team. According to his scenario, the Atlas Lions would finish first in their group ahead of Brazil, then achieve high-level performances to reach the final. Facing France, finalists in the last two editions, the American political leader ultimately chose Morocco to lift the trophy. He stated, "We are going to choose with our hearts, so I would say Morocco for this grand final," acknowledging a prediction guided by both passion and reason. This prediction highlights the changed perception of the Moroccan national team internationally since their historic run in Qatar in 2022, where they became the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. Their recent continental title, a world record of 19 consecutive victories, and successes in youth categories have reinforced this new dimension. Morocco is now regularly cited among the teams capable of creating a surprise in the North American tournament. The New York mayor's prediction is part of a broader trend where observers give more credit to the Atlas Lions' ambitions. Before considering a potential final, the Moroccan team must overcome several important stages, starting with the match against Brazil, scheduled for next Saturday at MetLife Sta