Moroccan history exhibition opens in Montpellier to showcase heritage and diversity

The travelling exhibition «The Doors of Morocco’s History: Dynasties, Sovereigns and Leading Figures» heads to the southern French city of Montpellier in June, offering visitors an immersive look at the major forces and emblematic figures that helped shape Moroccan identity.

Hosted at City Hall by the association Cœur de Lionne, in partnership with the Consulate General of Morocco in Montpellier, the event is part of «an effort to promote cultural ties and raise the international profile of Morocco’s heritage», the organizers said.

To mark the occasion, a roundtable was held on Monday on the theme «At the Crossroads of the Moroccan Model: Deep-Rooted Heritage, Diversity and Openness», with the participation of Professor Farid El Asri of Sciences Po Rabat and historian Jamel El Hamri, the exhibition’s curator.

Also taking part were Montpellier Mayor Michaël Delafosse, the city’s rabbi, Yakov Sitruk, Father Jean-Louis Cathala, as well as several diplomats and intellectuals from a range of backgrounds.

Morocco’s Consul General in Montpellier, Lamiae Bennani, noted that in an international context marked by instability, the Moroccan model stands out as a distinctive reality, showing that it is possible to combine national unity with cultural plurality.

For El Asri, the value of this discussion, held on the sidelines of a unique exhibition devoted to Morocco’s history, lies in its focus on the country’s societal model in its many dimensions: historical, cultural and religious. For his part, El Hamri highlighted the richness of Morocco’s history, noting that «more and more projects are emerging to share it with Moroccans living abroad and with those who are passionate about the Kingdom».

The event was also attended by the vice-president of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, the honorary consuls of Italy and Poland, and several civil society figures.