Story and culture: Marrakech and Dublin united for oral tradition

The Mermaid Arts Center of Ireland and the International Storytelling School of Marrakech signed a memorandum of understanding on the sidelines of the YARN Storytelling Festival on Friday in Bray. This partnership is part of the YARN Residency project, promoting cultural exchanges and artist residencies between Morocco and Ireland.

During the ceremony, Morocco’s Ambassador to Ireland, Lahcen Mahraoui, highlighted the importance of cultural partnerships to strengthen ties between the two nations, particularly through the promotion of oral traditions. The event was also marked by a joint performance by Moroccan storytellers Zouhair Khaznaoui and Irish storyteller Fiona Dowling, who enchanted the audience with stories blending the cultural heritages of the two countries.

According to the festival, this collaboration celebrates the deep connections between Moroccan and Irish oral storytelling traditions, particularly as Marrakech is designated the cultural capital of the Islamic world in 2024.

The event brought together diplomatic representatives, artists, academics, as well as members of the Moroccan diaspora, testifying to the international scope of this cultural partnership.

M.Ba.