The Companions of Gutenberg-Morocco discussed, Thursday in Rabat, the essentiality of culture, which has become an urgent necessity for the development and consolidation of a regional and therefore national dynamic.
During a conference, held under the theme “Culture, a decisive lever for regional development”they highlighted the importance of culture in the influence of the region, the richness of the secular heritage of the Kingdom, the challenges to be met for the promotion of a cultural dynamic as well as the question of the subsidies allocated in favor of the cultural thing.
This conclave was enhanced by the participation of a host of writers and cultural actors who are members of the Confrérie des Compagnons de Gutenberg-Morocco, an association chaired by Khalil Hachimi Idrissi. These include the honorary president and moderator of the conference, Mohamed Berrada, the psychoanalyst and writer Jalil Bennani, the director general of the Oriental Agency, Mohamed Mbarki, the writer-journalist Mohamed Seddik Maâninou , and the editorial director of the daily “Al Ittihad Al Ichtiraki”, Hamid Jmahri.
On this occasion, Mohamed Berrada emphasized the need to pay more attention to culture, given its essential role in developing a sense of creativity, particularly among young people.
In this regard, he highlighted the importance of devoting more space and interest to culture in the plans and programs carried out by regional officials, calling for greater mobilization of funds with a view to promoting a wealth-creating culture.
For his part, Jalil Bennani argued in favor of pluriculturalism and plurilingualism, emphasizing the importance of culture which constitutes “a means of sharing and living together” for individuals.
Referring to the African continent, he indicated that thanks to the multiple cultural manifestations, Africa lives to the rhythm of an unprecedented cultural dynamic, thus contributing to the development of local cultures.
Welcoming the importance and timeliness of the theme chosen for this conference, Mohamed Mbarki, for his part, underlined that culture is an integral part of regional development.
The cultural and heritage resources of the regions are a spur for the production of local wealth and cultural activities, he said.
Discussing the successful example of the Maghrebian Book Fair of Oujda, he reviewed the various modern expressions of culture, accentuated by new technologies and which constitute a solid base for a rich cultural industry, in particular graffiti and new artistic trends.
For his part, Mohamed Seddik Maâninou maintained that culture is in no way linked to an individual but is a collective responsibility, adding that the cultural folklore of each region is a wealth of the Kingdom that it is necessary to apprehend individually. .
Culture has been left out of electoral programs at the regional level, he lamented, believing that this gap must be filled.
Addressing the place of culture and regionalization, Hamid Jmahri said that the latter cannot be carried out and achieve the desired objectives without the adoption of a cultural strategy adapted to each region.
In this sense, he insisted on the importance of decentralization instead of letting the central authorities make the final decisions, particularly of a budgetary nature.
Also taking part in this conference, the director of the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco (BNRM), Mohamed El Ferrane, deplored the lack of interest given to cultural action in local strategies, thus constituting “the poor relative who still can’t find his place.
The various reports as well as the related strategic axes ignore that culture and the economy go hand in hand, he insisted.
Les Compagnons de Gutenberg is a Moroccan association bringing together writing professionals with the aim of developing reading and culture in Morocco, by contributing to building a just and fraternal world with respect for all cultures.
Since its creation in April 2010, the Moroccan section of the brotherhood of Gutenberg immediately got down to carrying out certain actions listed in the order of its concerns, such as the defense of writing, the promotion of reading and the encouragement to writing and editing.
.