As part of the International Djembé Festival, a flagship cultural event in Guinea, the Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Mr. Moussa Moïse Sylla, welcomed a high-level Moroccan delegation on Friday, December 6, 2024. Led by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco and the head of mission, the delegation represented the guest of honor for this year’s edition.

A Meeting Dedicated to Culture and Partnership

During this constructive and fruitful meeting, the Minister highlighted the significance of Morocco’s participation, which demonstrates the shared commitment of the two nations to strengthen cultural ties. He particularly expressed his gratitude for the presence of the legendary Gnawa group, a musical ensemble whose influence extends far beyond Morocco’s borders.

The Minister seized the opportunity to outline key strategic areas where Morocco’s support would be invaluable in preserving and enhancing Guinea’s rich cultural heritage.

Guinea’s Priorities: A Call for Moroccan Cooperation

In his remarks, Mr. Moussa Moïse Sylla identified several critical areas where collaboration with Morocco would be instrumental:

1. Strengthening museum management skills: Training professionals to better manage, preserve, and showcase Guinea’s historical and cultural collections.
2. UNESCO World Heritage recognition: Technical assistance to include major elements of Guinea’s cultural identity—such as the Mamaya dance, the Nimba rite, and the historical sites of Leppi—on the tentative UNESCO World Heritage list.
3. Promoting sustainable tourism: Developing ecotourism, highlighting local cultures, and marketing historical sites to attract international audiences.
4. Preserving sites linked to the transatlantic slave trade: Restoring and showcasing significant heritage sites, such as the location associated with Prince Abdoul Rahamane, to preserve this essential historical memory for future generations.

A Renewed Commitment from Morocco

The head of the Moroccan delegation expressed sincere gratitude for the warm reception provided by Guinean authorities. He emphasized the importance of:

• Promoting Guinean heritage through captivating storytelling tailored to diverse audiences.
• Establishing modern communication tools to enhance the visibility of Guinea’s tourist sites.
• Developing a structured cultural engineering framework to invigorate local initiatives and ensure the sustainable transmission of cultural knowledge and expertise.

In response to Guinea’s proposals, the Moroccan representative reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting the realization of these projects. He also suggested appointing a focal point to facilitate coordination and expedite the implementation of joint initiatives.

A Growing Partnership

At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Moussa Moïse Sylla and his team expressed their full readiness to collaborate with Moroccan authorities to turn these ambitions into tangible outcomes. This meeting reflects a broader effort to deepen bilateral relations, with culture and heritage serving as key pillars for sustainable partnership.

By hosting Morocco as the guest of honor, the International Djembé Festival has established itself as a platform for cultural exchange and a celebration of unity, underscoring a shared vision of culture as a driver of development and international influence.

A Step Toward Cultural Excellence

This event marks a pivotal moment in the collaboration between Guinea and Morocco. Together, the two countries demonstrate that the richness of cultural heritage is a powerful engine for economic progress, social cohesion, and the promotion of their identities on the global stage.