Organized under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, the 7th edition of CASAMOUJA recently concluded, marking an important step in the cultural enrichment of Casablanca and the promotion of essential civic values. Led by Casablanca Events and Animation, this emblematic Street Art project is part of the mission to democratize art in public spaces, while beautifying the city’s neighborhoods thanks to monumental frescoes. This year, the values of civic-mindedness, solidarity, integrity, patriotism, tolerance and peace constituted the common thread of the event, resonating with the social and cultural commitment of the New Development Model.
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.
In a press release, the organizers explain that the 2024 edition of CASAMOUJA is part of a context where art and culture are becoming pillars of social transformation in Morocco. By integrating civic values into the works exhibited in public spaces, CASAMOUJA aims to raise citizens’ awareness of responsible and supportive behavior. These frescoes, accessible to all, represent not only works of art, but also tools for collective reflection for a more united and inclusive Moroccan society.
CASAMOUJA’s frescoes also embody the importance of preserving cultural heritage while paving the way for contemporary artistic practices. This operation contributes to making Casablanca an open, dynamic and attractive city, where art becomes a universal language to promote values that strengthen the social fabric. By engaging citizens and mobilizing artists around civic values, CASAMOUJA actively participates in the cultural development of the metropolis, underline the organizers.
Frescoes with powerful and committed messages
Each fresco in this edition tells a story and carries a strong message, inviting passers-by to reflect on the role of art and the strength of civic values. The works, rich in symbols and colors, convey messages of respect, solidarity and responsibility towards the environment and others, explains the same source.
During the 2024 edition of CASAMOUJA, several artists contributed to the creation of 10 murals in Casablanca. Hamza Bendarham, alias Ben, created two frescoes highlighting environmental protection and intergenerational transmission. 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.
Also, Fabián Bravo Guerrero, nicknamed Kato, brought an international touch with a fresco combining 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.
For Amine Hajila, known under the pseudonym Brush, he created 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.
For his part, Hicham Ismaili Alaoui, alias Sika, painted a fresco representing a Moroccan woman in traditional clothing, symbolizing the simplicity and beauty of ancient life in the medina, while Majid El Bahar created a fresco representing 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, the organizers said.
A lasting impact on the metropolis and its inhabitants
With more than 90 frescoes created in all prefectures of Casablanca since the launch of CASAMOUJA, the project continues to transform the face of the city. Each fresco becomes a landmark, a place of meeting and sharing where residents can gather and rediscover their city through an artistic prism, explain the organizers who emphasize that these works, which oscillate between homage to Moroccan culture and openness to diversity, enrich public space by creating environments conducive to exchange and wonder.
Finally, it is underlined that CASAMOUJA is fully in line with WeCasablanca’s attractiveness strategy, which has attached primary importance to culture since its creation.
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