For its 2nd edition, the Moroccan Festival of Quebec extends over two days of festivities around Moroccan culture.
By Estelle Leveque
Born from Nouzha’s desire to introduce the culture of his country, the Moroccan Festival of Quebec will be back on August 26 and 27. Nouzha Enkila, business owner Natural Argania, is a lover of the Saint-Roch district. Also, she founded this event in order to attract visitors to the shops of rue Saint-Joseph, while introducing Moroccan culture.
Four places of festivities
To begin with, several Moroccan food kiosks will liven up Place Jacques-Cartier. The epicenter of the St-Roch district will be the favorite place for lovers of Moroccan dishes and dishes. It will also be an opportunity for the most novices to discover its flavors.
Then, on rue Saint-Joseph, several exhibitors and artisans will present their creations and products. In addition, on the Parvis of the Saint-Joseph church, will rise the Moroccan tent. Decorated in a typical style, it will host demonstrations of traditional clothing manufacturing. There will also be a parade of brides, dressed in traditional costumes from four regions of Morocco.
Finally, on the place de l’université, several shows will give the district a festive atmosphere. Zakaria Ghafouli, Moroccan artist of international renown, will begin the concert in the afternoon. He will be followed by Hassan Elhadi and Louis Pellerin, for music at the crossroads of traditional Moroccan and Quebec cultures.
A first edition that has grown
The Moroccan Festival of Quebec had its 1st edition in 2022. Initially organized over a single day, it now extends over the weekend. “This year, I decided to officially name the event as the Moroccan Festival of Quebec”, says Nouzha.
The founder of the event still cannot believe the popularity of the Moroccan Festival during its first edition. She estimates the number of visitors at the fall 2022 edition to be over 6,000 people. “I didn’t expect to have so many people last year. No one understood what had happened! Some people were in the street just passing through and decided to stay to be able to enjoy the event. »
In the space of a day, the event was able to embody Nouzha’s vision of the power of intercultural exchange.
“The objective is to create a link, a diversity that enhances the best way of living together. By coming to discover the culture, the food, the Moroccan tradition, people will be able to know a little better what it is to be Moroccan”, explains the organizer.
Indeed, she notes a lack of knowledge of this culture among some people. Nouzha underlines in particular a great openness within the Moroccan community; a quality likely, in her view, to solidify ties with other communities. “It’s not a festival just for Moroccans, it’s for everyone! “, she concludes.
Liven up rue Saint-Joseph
Installed for many years in Saint-Roch, the shopkeeper is campaigning for a revaluation of the district, whose image of a neglected place does not always do her credit. Thanks to subsidies from the city for young people’s initiatives aimed at enlivening the shopping street, Nouzha is confident about the evolution of the Moroccan Festival, year after year.
“Saint-Roch is a place to discover, I think the Moroccan Festival is an opportunity to come and have a look. There are many interesting businesses on rue Saint-Joseph. It is a place to frequent without any problem! »
The Moroccan Festival of Quebec will take place on August 26 and 27, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. To discover the entire program and the details of the Moroccan Festival of Quebec, consult the Facebook page of the event.
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