SMARA — HICHAM ELABASS
The Place des Forces Armées Royales (FAR) in Smara hosted, on Saturday evening, the opening ceremony of the 3rd National Traditional Games Festival.
Organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication (Youth Sector) under the supervision of the Province of Smara, this cultural and sporting event is held under the theme: “The Role of Traditional Games in Confirming the Unity of the Kingdom of Morocco and Enhancing African Communication.”
The opening ceremony was chaired by Mohamed El Naji, Secretary-General of the Province of Smara. The event drew a high-level delegation, including the Acting Commander of the Military Garrison, the President of the Provincial Council, and the Consul General of the Union of the Comoros, alongside representatives from several African diplomatic missions accredited to the Kingdom.
The ceremony also witnessed the presence of the President of the Jdiriya Commune, the Vice-President of the Smara Commune, heads of security and external services, representatives of local territorial councils, directors from the youth sector, as well as prominent sheikhs and notables of the Sahrawi tribes, and various civil society actors.
The festivities began with detailed briefings presented to the official delegation regarding the festival’s strategic objectives and its national context, highlighting the vital role of traditional games in safeguarding collective memory and promoting values of human coexistence.
Following the briefings, the delegation toured the exhibition pavilions, which showcase the richness and diversity of Moroccan heritage. The exhibition features wide participation from civil society associations and youth institutions representing various regions of the Kingdom, in addition to a special pavilion dedicated to the Union of the Comoros, which is taking part as the guest of honor for this edition.
Following the official tour, the ceremony commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and the playing of the Moroccan National Anthem. This was followed by an address from the festival director, who welcomed the guests and emphasized the cultural dimension and African depth of the festival.
The evening featured a variety of artistic performances and folklore showcases embodying the richness and multiplicity of Moroccan cultural tributaries. Additionally, performances inspired by African folklore were presented, reflecting the deep civilizational and human ties binding Morocco to its African depth. The ceremony also served as an occasion to honor several figures and distribute commemorative gifts.
It is worth noting that the activities of the National Traditional Games Festival will continue until Sunday, July 5th, and are scheduled to conclude with a grand artistic evening alongside the distribution of awards and honorary trophies to the participants.
