During this grandiose event, intended to “celebrate the cultures of the African continent and African diasporas across the world”, Morocco once again shone at the headquarters of the UN organization with a rich cultural program highlighting the diversity and richness of the ancestral heritage of the Kingdom as well as its African ramifications and roots.
“Morocco is proud to be here today” to celebrate Africa, said the Kingdom’s permanent delegate ambassador to UNESCO, Samir Addahrein a statement to “MAP” on the sidelines of the festivities marking the celebration of this day, combining debate, cultural interludes and tasting of African dishes.
“Africa is our continent. We are deeply rooted in this African culture,” added the Moroccan diplomat which recalls that the Kingdom “is very active within the framework of this network of African and Afro-descendant culture, through the events that we organize and support”.
For Mr. Addahre, it is important to support such events which “reveal this identity, this African culture and the values it carries”.
This is the case of the JMCA whose celebration corresponds, according to him, to “a new reality in the African continent».
“We are witnessing today the awakening of a new African consciousness, driven in particular by African youth who are demanding respect, recognition, particularly of their identity,” he noted, noting that this youth hopes that “the perception that others have of African culture and identity leaves colonial and postcolonial frames of reference”.
Hence the need to move towards “a recognition of African and Afro-descendant identity», according to the Permanent Delegate Ambassador of the Kingdom who welcomes UNESCO’s initiative to decree January 24 as “World Day of African and Afro-descendant Culture”.
In November 2019, the UNESCO General Conference declared, on the occasion of its 40th session, on January 24 “World Day of African and Afro-descendant Culture (JMCA)», following a draft resolution presented by the Togo and supported by many member states, including Morocco.
The conference then recalled the importance of African and Afro-descendant culture, particularly for the development of the African continent and for humanity as a whole, underlined the President of the 42nd session of the General Conference of UNESCO, Simona-Mirela Miculescuduring the opening ceremony of the 2025 edition of the JMCAplaced under the theme “Preserving and promoting ancestral heritage: a surge of intergenerational fraternity”.
In his eyes, this heritage, in its richness and diversity, is “a source of wisdom, creativity and resilience”, bearer of “universal values which promote peace, social cohesion and human development”, and must this makes him “a source of inspiration for us all”.
Following in the footsteps of all the speakers who spoke during this inaugural session, which took place in the presence of several diplomats accredited to UNESCO, Ms. Miculescu underlined the importance of the transmission of African culture and Afro-descendant and to create bridges between generations past and future, particularly through education, believing that the celebration of the JMCA helps ensure the sustainability of cultural heritage in favor of an “intergenerational dialogue”.
-An appeal was launched on this occasion to all States to take ownership of the World Day of African and Afro-descendant Culture.
In addition to the festive aspect of the event, the musical sequence of which was launched to the joyful rhythms of Dakka Marrakchia in perfect harmony with other African sounds, the day was indeed marked by a panel to deepen reflection on this subject.
The Moroccan panelist Ismail Daouda communicator specializing in Africa, represented African youth during this exchange, where he underlined the importance of appropriating the narrative of Africa, saying he was convinced that culture is “an instrument of power as much as economy or commerce.
“We often talk about economic war, about fierce competition between the great powers for control of resources and markets. But what we must understand today is that we are also engaged in a cultural war, a global battle to impose collective narratives, values and imaginations,” he said.
And to conclude that Africa “cannot afford to be a spectator in this war of stories. It must establish itself as an influential cultural power, capable of defending and promoting its identity on the world stage.
The day was also marked by the announcement of the winners of the JMCA-Kékéli prize 2025 awarded to personalities working for the promotion of culture, rapprochement and peace between peoples.
The World Day of African and Afro-descendant Culture represents an opportunity for UNESCO Africa Groupcountries with strong communities of Afro-descendants and other partners to promote the contributions of Africans and Afro-descendants to the evolution of the world.
In this regard, the event has four objectives: “Highlight African and Afro-descendant cultures”, “Mobilize and raise awareness among the African diaspora on the renewal of pan-Africanism and the values of African culture that bring peace”, “Launch an appeal for appropriation of the JMCA by all States”, and “Celebrate culture as a place of meetings and cement of universal brotherhood”.
Remember that the Kingdom, in support of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) and the African network of cultural promoters and entrepreneurs (RAPEC)commemorated JMCA 2023 in Rabat through several activities.
