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Rabat's Jidar Street Art Festival transforms city facades into open-air galleries
via Le Matin3 min read
The 11th edition of Jidar, the Street Art Festival, is transforming Rabat's urban landscape, turning previously anonymous facades into large-scale artworks across neighborhoods like El Youssoufia and Hassan. Moroccan artist Mizmiz, known for his digital animations, created an introspective piece in El Youssoufia, featuring an monumental orange and abstract silhouettes, reflecting on purity before environmental influence. In Agdal-Riad, Peruvian-Chilean artist Jumu Monster's mural showcases hybrid creatures and pre-Columbian ritual masks, with an Arabic inscription meaning "You make the impossible possible." Russian artist Marat Morik in Hassan employs a complex layering of techniques, blending figurative realism with geometric abstraction. Franco-Moroccan Nassim Azarzar reinterprets Moroccan transport truck aesthetics into a modern graphic language. Moroccan artist Ritanosko's first outdoor fresco in El Youssoufia uses fluid lines and vibrant colors to create an "imaginary archaeology." Spanish artist Marina Capdevila adds humor with vital elderly characters, while her compatriot Guillem Font uses a black and white palette to highlight organic details. The festival, concluding on April 26, also features local talents like RDS Reda Boudina, who merges traditional graffiti with architectural research. A key question remains regarding the long-term preservation of these monumental frescoes. Through guided tours and collective creations, Jidar demonstrates that art can thrive bey
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
BreakingThe suspect in the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner gala, held at the Washington Hilton hotel, was a hotel guest, according to the interim police chief of the US capital. Jeffery Carroll stated that preliminary information suggests the individual was a client of the hotel, and a room has been secured for investigation. American authorities announced that the alleged shooter will appear in court on Monday, facing two charges: use of a firearm during a violent crime and assault of a federal agent with a dangerous weapon. President Donald Trump was evacuated by Secret Service agents after shots were heard outside the ballroom, approximately five minutes before the event was scheduled to begin. The president later stated that the suspect attempted to breach a security checkpoint with multiple weapons before being "neutralized very quickly" by agents. A Secret Service agent was shot but is in stable condition due to a bulletproof vest. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser indicated that the suspect was taken to a local hospital for examination. The suspect, from California, was found with a shotgun, a pistol, and several knives. The individual's motives and the exact target of the attack remain unknown. Organizers canceled the remainder of the gala program, though the president expressed an intention to reschedule the event within a month. The annual dinner, organized by the White House Correspondents' Association, brings together journalists, politicians, and
Morocco concluded its participation in the 10th Grand Prix Moulay El Hassan of para-athletics, held from April 23 to 25 at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, by securing third place in the overall standings. The Moroccan delegation earned a total of 31 medals 8 gold, 16 silver, and 7 bronze across all disciplines in this competition, which is part of the World Para Athletics Grand Prix circuit. Brazil took first place with 57 medals 38 gold, 13 silver, and 6 bronze, ahead of China, which placed second with 34 medals 14 gold, 12 silver, and 8 bronze. Hamid El Aouni, president of the Royal Moroccan Federation of Sports for Persons with Disabilities, praised the success of this 10th edition, both organizationally and sportingly. He highlighted that this third-place global finish, achieved among 58 participating countries, reflects the positive momentum in sports for people with disabilities in Morocco. El Aouni also emphasized the event's role in identifying new talent, providing Moroccan athletes with an opportunity to compete against international elites and achieve their first performances. The Federation aims to further enhance the event's influence in future editions by expanding participation and raising the level of competition, with an eye on upcoming Paralympic deadlines. This edition brought together over 500 athletes from 58 countries, including several world champions. Nearly 100 referees, as many organizers, 150 v
Speaking at the opening of the international symposium "The African Atlantic Space, what geopolitical re-reading? A multidimensional approach," Mr. Azoulay stated that a careful reading of Morocco's diplomatic history and a rational analysis of its strategic regional leadership, particularly in the 19th century, gives full depth to the Atlantic and African vision, championed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI and commended by the Community of Nations. This pioneering choice is seen as a determining marker of Morocco's centrality and authority in the region. Mr. Azoulay affirmed that Morocco, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty the King, possesses all the assets to make the Atlantic strategy a lever for development and regional cooperation, calling for the continuation of this dynamic to consolidate the Kingdom's place as a regional reference for a shared and sustainable future. He noted that the Royal Atlantic Initiative reflects His Majesty the King's strategic vision to strengthen Morocco's position as a major player in the African Atlantic space, emphasizing that this orientation is based on solid historical, geographical, and civilizational foundations, and calling for the promotion of an ambitious Africa founded on the values of equality, dignity, and mutual respect. Mr. Azoulay also highlighted that this meeting is an opportunity to consolidate the partnership between Tétouan and Essaouira around the project of the University of Sciences of Culture and Heritage
The film "Michael" has achieved significant box office success, grossing $12.6 million in US previews, including $3.8 million from premium and IMAX formats. Internationally, it added $18.5 million on its opening day, bringing its global total to over $30 million within 24 hours of its release on Wednesday, April 22. Industry estimates project a first-weekend earning between $85 million and $95 million in the US, which would mark the best post-pandemic opening for Lionsgate, surpassing "John Wick Chapter 4's" $73.8 million, and a record for a musical biopic, exceeding "Straight Outta Compton's" $60.2 million. In comparison, "Bohemian Rhapsody" opened with $51 million in 2018. Audience reception has been highly positive, with early evaluations showing 5-star equivalents, 88% positive reviews, and 81% recommendations. Public surveys give it an A- grade, and public rating platforms show 96% approval. The audience profile indicates 58% are under 35, with a slight female majority at 56%, and half of the viewers attended due to their connection to Michael Jackson. Social media engagement is also high, with an estimated 417.9 million people exposed to or engaged with the film online, a figure comparable to or exceeding films like "Elvis" or "Rocketman." In Morocco, the film is experiencing similar enthusiasm, with cinemas filling rapidly and operators increasing screenings to over ten per day to meet demand.