AGP Executive Report

Living Heritage: Morocco’s “Tiny Kasbah,” a modular design inspired by Almohad earthen architecture, was showcased at a heritage fair in Germany, putting traditional building skills in the spotlight. Women’s Voices: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot is due in Essaouira for the World Women’s Forum for Peace, alongside talks on France-Morocco ties. Film: The Marrakech International Film Festival has revealed its 2026 tribute recipients and speaker lineup, while director Laïla Marrakchi’s Oscar entry has secured a US distributor. Arts & Heritage: A new publicly funded museum in Fez celebrates Moroccan Jewish culture, and an exhibition in Marrakech traces six decades of Moroccan painting. Sport: Rabat hosted Nigeria’s historic U-17 women’s World Cup win over Japan, a milestone for African women’s football.

Diaspora & Heritage: A cultural gathering in Tarragona brought young Moroccans in Spain together through Green March films, quizzes, art and folk performances, with a focus on strengthening ties to Moroccan identity. Moroccan Cinema: Laïla Marrakchi’s La Más Dulce, Morocco’s Oscar entry, has secured a US distributor; the Marrakech International Film Festival has also revealed its 2026 tributes and speaker lineup. Arts & Memory: A new public museum dedicated to Jewish Moroccan heritage has opened in Fez, while a Marrakech exhibition traces six decades of Moroccan painting. Rabat’s theatre festival is spotlighting work by six women directors. Travel: A new feature makes the case for northern Morocco, from Tangier and Chefchaouen to Fez, as a rich alternative to the better-known Marrakech itinerary. Women’s Sport: Nigeria’s Flamingos won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, beating Japan 2–1 in the final to become the first African team to claim the title.

Moroccan Cinema: Laïla Marrakchi’s Oscar entry, La Más Dulce (Strawberries), has secured US theatrical distribution and deals in several other markets. The film follows Moroccan women facing abuse while working in Spain’s strawberry fields. Festival Spotlight: The Marrakech International Film Festival, running November 20–28, has announced 11 “In Conversation” guests, including Moroccan director Marrakchi, and career tributes for actor Younès Mégri, Jeff Goldblum and John Turturro. Youth & Sport: Benguerir has opened Morocco’s first FIFA Arena mini-pitch, with 30 planned across the country to give children more places to play. Morocco also hosted Nigeria’s historic U-17 women’s World Cup win—the first African title in the competition. Heritage & Art: Fez’s new museum dedicated to Moroccan Jewish culture and a Marrakech exhibition tracing six decades of Moroccan painting offer fresh ways to explore the country’s history and creative life.

Moroccan Cinema: Laïla Marrakchi’s Strawberries, Morocco’s 2027 Oscar submission, has secured US theatrical rights and several other international sales; it is also set for a gala screening at the Marrakech International Film Festival. Visual Arts: A traveling exhibition tracing 60 years of Moroccan painting is on view in Marrakech through November 30, pairing work by pioneering and contemporary artists. Jewish Heritage: Fez has opened a museum in its old Jewish quarter, with displays on more than 2,500 years of Jewish life in Morocco and its shared history with the city. Household Costs: Tomatoes are selling for up to 17 dirhams a kilo in parts of the country, as high vegetable prices squeeze family budgets.

Household Costs: Tomato prices have climbed to 17 dirhams a kilo in some markets, squeezing families in Tinghir. Consumers blame exports, while market observers also point to middlemen and speculation. Moroccan Art: A traveling exhibition tracing 60 years of Moroccan painting is on view in Marrakech through November 30, alongside a tribute to painter Omar Bouragba. Jewish Heritage: Fez has opened a museum in its old Jewish quarter, showcasing more than 2,500 years of Moroccan Jewish history through artifacts, manuscripts and archives. Women’s Football: Nigeria’s Flamingos beat Japan 2-1 in Rabat to win their first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, making history as the first African champions; Nigeria’s Oluebube Umejiaku also won the tournament’s Golden Ball.

Women’s Football: Nigeria’s Flamingos claimed their first U-17 Women’s World Cup title in Rabat, beating Japan 2–1. Oluebube Umejiaku scored the winner and earned the tournament’s Golden Ball. Health: More than 400 cutaneous leishmaniasis cases have been reported in Zagora province, with local groups urging urgent treatment and prevention efforts. Moroccan Science: Fez researcher Adnane Remmal won UNESCO’s 2026 prize for life-sciences research, including work on treatments for drug-resistant infections. Heritage: Fez has opened Morocco’s first publicly funded museum dedicated to Jewish culture, highlighting the country’s layered history. Film: A Rabat festival is spotlighting six women directors, while young filmmakers are bringing Green March stories to the screen. Art: A London retrospective of Winston Churchill’s paintings features his Moroccan cityscapes and views of Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains.

Science: Moroccan researcher Adnane Remmal won UNESCO’s 2026 life sciences prize for work tackling antibiotic resistance, including a treatment developed at Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fez. Visual Culture: Photographer Raja Aderdor’s project captures handwritten signs and street markings in Marrakech and Merzouga, exploring how everyday messages express identity and belonging. Art: A London retrospective of Winston Churchill’s paintings puts Morocco in the spotlight, featuring his Marrakech cityscapes and views of the Atlas Mountains. Theatre: Rabat’s International Festival of Women Theater Directors brought six artists from Morocco and abroad together for performances and discussions on identity, family and memory. Heritage: Fez has opened a publicly funded museum dedicated to Jewish Moroccan culture, a landmark addition to the country’s cultural institutions.

Coastal Discoveries: In Agadir, metal-detector enthusiast Mustapha Harmouch searches the beach for hidden finds, turning old coins and chance discoveries into history lessons for his online followers. Culture & Heritage: A new museum in Fez’s old Jewish quarter celebrates Moroccan Jewish life and the city’s shared history. In Rabat, a festival brought six women theatre directors from Morocco and abroad to present work on identity, family and memory. Film: Young Moroccan filmmakers were honoured at the Green March Film Competition, while the Marrakech International Film Festival unveiled its official selection. Mountain Landscapes: Building agricultural terraces and retaining water across the Atlas Mountains is being urged as a way to support sustainable farming. Music: An embassy concert in Morocco celebrated Azerbaijani music and dance, highlighting cultural ties between the two countries.

Performing Arts: Rabat’s International Festival of Women Theater Directors brought six artists from Morocco and abroad to the stage, with works exploring family, identity and trauma. Shared Heritage: A new museum in Fez’s old Jewish quarter celebrates Moroccan Jewish life and the city’s intertwined cultures. Film: The Marrakech International Film Festival has unveiled its lineup, while Rabat’s Green March film competition honored young filmmakers. Storytelling: Moroccan literary critic Said Yaktine told audiences at Sharjah’s book fair that everyday customs and oral traditions are vital parts of cultural identity.

Young Filmmakers: A Rabat ceremony honored winners of the sixth Green March film competition. The top prize went to PRISE 9, directed by Jamal Kroudi and Chama Ben Bella, with young filmmakers using cinema to explore Morocco’s history and identity. On Stage: Six women directors from Morocco and abroad brought stories of family, alienation and political memory to Rabat’s Jassad festival, calling for more diverse voices in theatre. Morocco in the Spotlight: The kingdom’s tourism office hosted a London reception alongside an exhibition of Winston Churchill’s paintings, highlighting his ties to Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains. Capital City Break: A new two-day guide invites visitors to explore Rabat’s historic landmarks, Moroccan street food and blend of tradition and modern life. Marrakech Wedding: Nigerian rapper Zlatan Ibile married Davita Lamai in a star-studded ceremony, following the couple’s traditional wedding in Lagos.

Marrakech Celebrations: Nigerian rapper Zlatan Ibile married Davita Lamai in a star-studded white wedding, with guests embracing Moroccan-inspired style. Women in Theatre: Rabat’s Jassad festival brought six women directors from Morocco and abroad together, with plays exploring family, alienation and political memory. Morocco on the Art Scene: A London reception linked Winston Churchill’s paintings to his long-standing connection with Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains. Film: The Marrakech International Film Festival unveiled its lineup, with Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut set to open the event. Rabat Getaway: A new city guide makes the case for Morocco’s capital, pairing historic landmarks such as Hassan Tower with its modern, green character. Ancient History: A 4,000-year-old wall discovered in Morocco is prompting fresh questions about the history of African civilizations.

Marrakech Style: Mandarin Oriental Marrakech and Missoni have opened Morocco’s first Missoni Resort Club, bringing the fashion house’s vivid patterns to the hotel’s pool garden. Education: Morocco recorded 264,889 school dropouts in 2025–26; only 56,114 entered reintegration programmes, leaving more than 208,000 outside them. Archaeology: A 3,500- to 4,000-year-old fortification at Oued Beht is the oldest known large-scale defensive structure in North Africa outside the Nile Valley, reshaping understanding of the region’s early societies. Film: Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut will open the Marrakech International Film Festival, which has unveiled its full selection. Craft & Design: A viral test found high levels of lead in Moroccan zellige tile glaze, renewing questions about the safety of a centuries-old craft. Youth & Politics: Young Moroccans’ visible protest activity contrasts with low trust in elections, as many doubt voting can improve jobs and public services.

Archaeology: A 3,500- to 4,000-year-old fortification uncovered at Oued Beht may be North Africa’s oldest known large-scale defensive structure outside the Nile Valley, reshaping understanding of early societies in the region. Youth & Politics: Many young Moroccans see staying away from the polls as protest, reflecting distrust in parties they feel have failed to address jobs, public services and inequality. Craft & Design: A viral test found high lead levels in Moroccan zellige tile samples. Lead has long been used in ceramic glazes, but the findings have prompted questions for designers and consumers. Living Culture: A look at bathhouse traditions worldwide highlights the hammam as both a cleansing ritual and a social gathering place, offering visitors a window into local life. Film: The Marrakech International Film Festival has unveiled its lineup, with Jesse Eisenberg’s “The Debut” set to open the event.

Film: The Marrakech International Film Festival has unveiled its 2026 selection, with Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut set to open the event. Gnawa Heritage: New coverage explores how Gnawa music and ritual carry memories of enslavement, migration and Sufi exchange, while musicians continue to reinterpret the tradition for wider audiences. Jewish Culture: Morocco’s Jewish community is still awaiting elections ordered in 2022; the country has also recently opened its first publicly funded museum dedicated to Jewish culture. Education: UM6P is hosting the Times Higher Education Arab Universities Summit in Benguerir—the first time the gathering has taken place in North Africa. Travel: easyJet’s new Newcastle–Marrakech route began operating on November 3, with twice-weekly flights.

Living Conditions: Morocco’s lived-poverty rate has fallen to 22%, but around 8 million people remain affected. Youth unemployment has climbed to 30.5%, with 173,000 fewer paid jobs recorded in the third quarter. Moroccan Heritage Abroad: Morocco Week opened in Jakarta, showcasing the kingdom’s Amazigh, Arab, African, Saharan and Mediterranean influences through crafts, art and live demonstrations. Screen Culture: The Marrakech International Film Festival has unveiled its official selection, with Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut set to open the festival. Cultural Memory: Morocco has opened its first publicly funded museum dedicated to Jewish culture, a landmark for the country’s diverse heritage. Music: Indigenous Moroccan music is finding a new life through electronica, blending traditional sounds with contemporary production.

Film: Marrakech’s International Film Festival has unveiled 76 films from 39 countries for its November edition, including 10 world premieres; Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut will open the festival. Heritage: The Tan-Tan Moussem’s Emirati pavilion is drawing visitors with crafts, food, performances and displays on traditions shared by Morocco and the UAE. Women’s livelihoods: ANDZOA is backing an Errachidia cooperative making traditional Tahrouit clothing, helping women preserve local skills and earn income. Family life: Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi says Morocco’s 154,000 annual divorce applications should not be confused with finalized separations, and challenged stigma directed at divorced women. Online discourse: A new report finds nearly 60% of anti-migrant Facebook posts in Morocco contain false or misleading claims, with hate and stigmatization also widespread. Music and memory: Recent coverage spotlights Indigenous Moroccan music finding new life in electronica and the opening of the country’s first publicly funded museum dedicated to Jewish culture. Cultural identity: Barcelona-born Lamine Yamal says his Moroccan and Equatorial Guinean heritage has shaped his personality and playing style.