During this edition (August – October 2024), placed under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Casablanca Events et Animation, initiator of the event, brought together several artists to create gigantic frescoes, paying homage to the street Art and bring a touch of elegance and liveliness to several arteries of the metropolis.
The initiative thus illustrates the fundamental role of art as a lever for development and cultural animation. Through their unique works, these young artists aspire to bring art back into the public space, to promote the values of citizenship, solidarity, integrity, patriotism, tolerance and peace.
These creations, numbering around ten murals, offer environments conducive to interaction and admiration, enriching the experience of walking and traveling on public roads.
Each of these frescoes tells a story and transmits a strong message, inviting passers-by to reflect on the role of art and the different issues that concern society. In each of these frescoes, Moroccan culture is set up as vectors to transmit these common values.
Hamza Bendarham, alias Ben, created two frescoes highlighting the importance of environmental protection and intergenerational dialogue. For his part, Said Sabbah, known as Dais, created a work symbolizing unity and solidarity, with intertwined hands representing human interdependence. Ayoub Dadouche, aka Afrofatcap, painted a fresco illustrating mutual aid between generations, showing a young woman helping an elder to cross the street.
Other artists, like Fabián Bravo Guerrero, nicknamed Kato, brought an international touch. Its fresco combines symbolic and cultural elements, notably swallows and motifs inspired by the Hassan II mosque. This work has been recognized worldwide; it won 2nd place in the “BEST OF OCTOBER TOP 3” ranking established by Street Art Cities, a platform dedicated to the promotion of street art around the world.
If Amine Hajila, known under the pseudonym Brush, opted for two frescoes: one in trompe l’oeil representing traditional Moroccan arches and hands joining, and the other entitled “The Breath of Casablanca”, highlighting scene of golden hands outstretched towards birds in flight, Hicham Ismaili Alaoui, alias Sika, painted a fresco representing a Moroccan woman in traditional clothing, symbolizing the simplicity and beauty of old life in the medina.
Majid El Bahar created a fresco depicting a majestic lighthouse on a cliff, accompanied by seagulls in flight, symbolizing freedom and serenity. Salma El Ouardi and Oussama Ait Taleb collaborated on a fresco merging traditional Moroccan elements and everyday objects, brought to life by vibrant and contrasting colors.
CASAMOUJA’s frescoes also embody the importance of preserving cultural heritage while paving the way for contemporary artistic practices. This operation therefore contributes to making Casablanca an open, dynamic and attractive city, where art becomes a universal language to promote values that strengthen the social fabric. This edition will have marked an important step in the enrichment of Casablanca’s cultural offerings and the promotion of fundamental civic values. It significantly contributes to strengthening the city’s status as a cultural destination of choice.
The 2024 edition of CASAMOUJA takes place in a context where art and culture are becoming pillars of social transformation in Morocco. This edition was able to capture the soul of Casablanca by celebrating civic values through committed and inspiring works, it testifies to the strength of Street Art as a means of expression and awareness, and invites every Casablancan to participate in the construction of a more responsible, united and environmentally friendly society.
Since its creation in 2017, CASAMOUJA has worked to redefine the urban landscape of Casablanca, transforming the city walls into vectors of expression for local and international artists. This initiative aims to promote Moroccan culture, by illustrating the potential of street art to raise public awareness of contemporary issues. This year, the theme of civic values took on a particular dimension, recalling the importance of building an inclusive and united society where everyone can flourish.
MAP / Saad Aboudihaj
