This major cultural event, we read in a press release, will bring together 100 storytellers from 33 countries, with the ambition of making history by attempting to beat the Guinness world record for the longest continuous storytelling session. THE Hikayathonwhich will begin on January 20 on the legendary Jemaa El-Fnaa square, will constitute the high point of this edition. This marathon of stories will bring together storytellers from around the world in an uninterrupted circle, celebrating storytelling as a universal bridge between cultures, traditions and generations, underlines the same source.
Placed under the theme of Bahja – a concept that embodies the spirit of joy, sharing and celebration inherent to Marrakech – this edition pays homage to the city’s narrative heritage. “ Every street corner, souk and monument in Marrakech tells a story », Reports the same source. The festival thus aims to transform the city into a major stage dedicated to the art of storytelling.
« The festival will take over various emblematic places in the Marrakech-Safi region, ranging from the historic sites of the Medina to cultural institutions, to offer a rich and varied program. ».
Among the highlights, interactive workshops intended for youth and artists will be led by Moroccan and international storytellers, with the aim of introducing young people to the art of storytelling while promoting this tool of cultural preservation.
Storytelling circles and shows will celebrate the diversity of narrative traditions from around the world, strengthening the universal bond between cultures. Panels and conferences will explore various themes, such as the therapeutic role of myths or the future of storytelling in education.
What’s more, as a prelude to this major event, pre-festival activities will be held on January 15 and 16 in Safi and Essaouira, offering workshops and performances to prepare the ground for the main program in Marrakech.
True to its values, the festival will highlight storytellers, promoting their role in the transmission of culture and the construction of peace through storytelling. “ Workshops intended for tourist guides in the Marrakech-Safi region aim to enrich the stories offered to visitors, thus strengthening the cultural and tourist attractiveness of Marrakech », According to the same source.
The festival will close on January 25 with a gala dinner, where the prize will be awarded Golden Storyteller 2025. « This moment of celebration will honor the participants and mark the culmination of a week marked by joy, creativity and sharing. “, we read in the press release.
By bringing together storytellers from Morocco, India, Nigeria, Ireland and Colombia, the Marrakech International Storytelling Festival reaffirms the city’s place as an international cultural hub. Between tradition and innovation, this event helps to strengthen dialogue between cultures and to showcase the art of storytelling on the world stage.
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