The Foundation for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of Rabat, presided by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa, organized closing ceremonies for its educational programs “I Draw My Heritage” and “I Discover My Heritage” in Rabat and Meknes, marking the end of the 2024-2025 season as well as the launch of the 3rd edition of Roya magazine, accompanied by a special edition dedicated to the city of Meknes.
These ceremonies provided a privileged space for exchange and showcasing of artistic and educational initiatives, featuring theatrical and musical performances, audiovisual projections retracing the various stages of the programs, as well as presentations of podcasts produced by the young participants. An exhibition of artistic works also highlighted the creations of the schoolchildren, demonstrating their engagement throughout the year.
“I Discover My Heritage”: Promoting Contextual, Artistic, and Cultural Education
For the fourth consecutive year, this flagship program enabled more than 5,000 secondary school students from 51 schools in Rabat, Salé, and Témara, as well as 600 secondary school students from Meknes and Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, to gain an in-depth understanding of their local heritage. The program is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, UNESCO, and in collaboration with the Maison d’Artisan, MAP, ISIC, ENA, INRA, and INBA.
Based on innovative pedagogical approaches, the program emphasized strengthening teachers’ capacities through updating the educational kit adapted to the cultural specificities of the different territories. The students were invited to participate in site visits and collective workshops organized by the Foundation and its partners, fostering discovery, critical reflection, and awareness of the universal values of heritage. This approach aims to firmly anchor knowledge and encourage the collective appropriation of cultural heritage within a sustainable development and enlightened citizenship perspective.
“I Draw My Heritage”: An Integrated Approach to Cultural and Artistic Education
The program brought together over 650 primary school students from 20 schools in Rabat and more than 450 students from 15 schools in Meknes around the valorization of cultural heritage in all its forms, notably through artistic representation of local cultural symbols.
Linked to the national “Pioneer Schools” project, “I Draw My Heritage” was extended this year to secondary schools in Rabat, Salé, and Témara for a pilot phase. In partnership with the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, it allowed over 200 secondary school students to explore the richness of Moroccan craftsmanship, particularly zellige, through a creative and eco-responsible approach integrating the use of recycled materials and promoting sustainable ecological awareness.
Roya Magazine: A Platform for Youth Expression
The 3rd issue of Roya illustrates the richness of productions by young participants in the “I Discover My Heritage” program. Through diverse content combining journalism, literature, and art, the magazine highlights their voices and perspectives.
A special feature dedicated to the traditional “Rbati” wedding underscores the importance of preserving and transmitting the living forms of intangible heritage and collective memory of Rabat’s medina. Additionally, a special edition on Meknes pays tribute to the local cultural identity through portraits of iconic figures and places, created by the students of Meknes.
These programs, carried out in partnership with the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, UNESCO, and other committed partners, are part of a strategic vision to create sustainable synergy between stakeholders in education and culture. They promote heritage education based on the active involvement of youth and the promotion of arts and cultural expressions.
