Assilah Festival looks at the alliances between civilisations

2008-08-06

To bridge differences and counter the "clash of civilisations" concept, Morocco's International Assilah Cultural Festival began Sunday under a unifying theme. This year, the 30-year-old event is called "The Alliance of Civilisations".

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 06/08/08

[Sarah Touahri] Mohamed Benaissa, Secretary General of the Assilah Forum Foundation, said Morocco's Assilah Festival is a free space for intercultural and civilisational dialogue.

The thirtieth International Assilah Cultural Festival kicked off on Sunday (August 3rd) with the involvement of major figures from the worlds of politics, diplomacy, culture and the arts. Over the last three decades, the event has helped strengthen cultural dialogue, exchange and solidarity and celebrated the values of peace and tolerance.

This year's festival, held August 3rd-6th, was organised around the theme, "The Alliance of Civilisations". King Mohammed VI addressed a message to participants at the event's opening, calling on the Assilah Forum Foundation "to work towards an in-depth study of the Arab-African and Ibero-Latin American civilisations and to arrive at an exhaustive assessment of the different elements which they comprise".

The monarch said these studies will provide a "launch pad for... the emergence of a foundation to promote the Alliance of Civilisations through in-depth comparative study".

Speakers were unanimous in stressing the relevance of the chosen theme, highlighting the importance of the "Alliance of Civilisations" initiative launched by the United Nations in 2004 to promote dialogue between cultures and to encourage better interaction between civilisations and peoples. They called young people the "true architects" of this Alliance, and advocated university exchange programmes and online international student networks.

"In Morocco, the Alliance of Civilisations is nothing new. It is rooted in our memory, our history, our traditions. National progress and values reflect Morocco’s ability to favour coming together rather than breaking apart, synthesis rather than exclusion, alliances rather than clashes," said royal advisor André Azoulay.

Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero stressed the importance of the UN Alliance of Civilisations initiative in bridging gaps between cultures and beliefs.

"These chasms arise from political motives, and have nothing to do with any impossibility of co-existence, contrary to the claims of those who support the clash of civilisations," he said in a written address presented by Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos.

Enrique V. Iglesias, President of the Ibero-American Co-operation Secretariat, stressed the importance of capitalising on cultural diversity, which enriches identities and ensures that human rights and dignity are respected.

Culture Minister Touria Jabrane pointed out the importance of seizing opportunities offered by the Assilah cultural Moussem as a place for reflection, to strengthen dialogue and exchanges.

Former minister of Foreign Affairs and Secretary General of the Assilah Forum Foundation, Mohamed Benaissa said Morocco's Assilah Festival is a free space for intercultural and civilisational dialogue.

In addition to the high-powered debates and forums, the programme offers art exhibitions, workshops and concerts.