
The Mawazine 2026 festival in Rabat featured performances by Lebanese artist Wael Kfoury and South Korean K-pop group Itzy. Wael Kfoury, returning to the festival after a long absence, performed his popular romantic Arabic songs for over 90 minutes on the Nahda stage. His performance created an atmosphere of nostalgia and emotion, with a multi-generational audience singing along. Meanwhile, on the OLM Souissi stage, Itzy delivered a dynamic K-pop show, combining vocals, synchronized choreography, and visual staging. The group performed their hit songs for a predominantly young and enthusiastic crowd, highlighting the growing popularity of Korean music in Morocco. The evening showcased Mawazine's ability to bring together diverse artistic styles, from romantic Arabic pop to energetic K-pop.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Must ReadA recent Moroccan study published in Discover Public Health indicates that 27% of students surveyed at Abdelmalek Essa芒di University in T茅touan screened positive for suicidal risk within the 30 days prior to the survey. The study involved 1,191 students, with an average age of 21.69 years, facing academic pressures, future uncertainties, economic constraints, and personal difficulties. Of those identified with suicidal risk, 86.6% were categorized as low risk, 11.2% as moderate risk, and 2.2% as high risk. The seven students at high risk were referred for psychiatric follow-up. Key factors associated with increased risk included cannabis consumption, single relationship status, family psychiatric history, and exposure to physical and sexual violence. The study highlights concerns about the adequacy of current university health services in Morocco, noting that consolidated data on university health dates back to 2019. At that time, the system included 30 university medical centers and 27 infirmaries with 107 professionals for a student population exceeding one million. The Economic, Social and Environmental Council also pointed out that many university cities lack medical centers. While Youth Health Spaces offer psychosocial support, they cater to a broader age range and do not fully address the need for structured psychological support within universities. A joint action plan for university health exists between the Ministries of Health and Social Protection and Higher Educat

More than 400 Moroccan gold coins were discovered in a 17th-century shipwreck off Salcombe, Devon, England, in 1995. British researchers, including experts from the British Museum, Bournemouth University, and the South West Maritime Archaeology Group, identified the wreck in June 2026 as the Dom van Keulen, a Dutch merchant ship that departed Morocco for the Netherlands in autumn 1633. The vessel encountered severe weather, took on water, and sank near the English coast, though its crew survived. The ship's cargo included 150 bags of gum arabic, 64 bags of saltpeter, 320 goat hides, and 9,000 Barbary ducats, which were Moroccan gold coins. While much of the cargo was likely salvaged after the sinking, over 400 gold coins remained underwater for centuries until their discovery. This find highlights Morocco's significant role in 17th-century trade under the Saadian dynasty, connecting African gold routes with European powers like the Netherlands. Dutch merchants sought gold, hides, and other goods in Morocco, with some gold being melted down for international currency. The approximately 30-meter-long wreck lies at a depth of nearly 18 meters and also yielded jewelry, ceramic objects, shipboard utensils, anchors, cannons, and navigation instruments. The recovered coins and artifacts are now housed at the British Museum, providing material evidence of Morocco's historical trade links between Africa and Europe.
Must ReadA Moroccan study published in the scientific journal Discover Public Health indicates that 27% of surveyed students exhibit suicidal risk. The research involved 1,191 students from Abdelmalek Essa芒di University in T茅touan, encompassing six higher education institutions.