Taroudante- Morocco will be a guest of honor at the 31st International Book Fair, which will be organized from March 27 to April 5 at the Kram exhibition center in Tunis, Tunisia.

Despite the recent terrorist attack in the country, the Tunisian Ministry of Culture, the Tunisian Publishers Union, the Importers and Distributors of Books Union, and the Company of International Fairs of Tunis are determined to organize this annual event.

In addition to the Moroccan Ministry of Culture, which will officially represent the country, several Moroccan publishers will take part in this fair, including Bouregreg, East Africa, Al Amane, Tawhidi, Dar Takafa, Marsam, the Crossroads and Yanbow al Kitab.

According to the Moroccan Ministry of Culture, the Fair will showcase publications of the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture (IRCAM), the Rabita Mohammadia of Ulema, the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad, the Institute of African Studies, Agency for the Promotion and Development of the Southern Provinces, and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University Mohammed V.

Morocco has prepared a rich and varied cultural program for this event. Writers, thinkers, and artists will participate in thematic conferences, poetry readings, and art events reflecting the cultural diversity of Morocco, as well as the intellectual dialogue and exchanges between the Kingdom and Tunisia.

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Taroudante- Morocco won the Best Stand award on Thursday at the International Travel and Tourism Exhibition, held in Moscow, Russia from March 18 to 21, 2015.

The Exhibition is Russia’s largest and longest running travel exhibition.

This award went to the Moroccan stand to recognize that it had the best organization, decoration, and exhibition.

The Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT), which oversaw the Moroccan stand, dedicated space for tourism promoters, representatives of travel agencies, private room to welcome guests to the Morocco stand, and a pavilion reserved for the Royal Air Maroc, Morocco state-owned airline.

Built on an area of 255 m², the Moroccan stand presented a variety of Moroccan tourism products, particularly seaside, mountain, Sahrawi, and business tourism, as well as promoting some new hotel products and services.

As part of its tourism vision, Morocco aspires to attract about 2 million Russian tourists annually by 2020.

With over 2,056 participating companies and more than 200 destinations, the Russian exhibition is “the key meeting place for the industry and an opportunity to catch up with colleagues and clients.”

According to the Exhibition’s official website, “it enables participants to increase awareness of their destination, gain a real feel for the Russian travel market and gauge demand for their services.”

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Rabat - A delegation of students from Rabat’s Governance and Economic School (EGE) will represent Morocco at the “National Model United Nations (NMUN) 2015”, scheduled from March 22 to 26 at the Sheraton New York Times Square.

The strongly motivated delegation, composed of 14 students between the ages of 18 and 22, is one of the two only delegations representing the African continent, according to a press release issued by EGE.

Every year, this international event brings together thousands of students from all around the world to debate, negotiate, and defend the interests of the country they are assigned to represent. The Moroccan delegation will represent Kuwait.

“Our main purpose is to give the best image of Morocco in this large gathering, but also to put what we have learnt in our Political Science and International Relations studies into practice,” reads the press release.

It is not the first time that a delegation from EGE has participated in NMUN. The school has been successfully represented for the past three years.

The Moroccan delegation has attended many workshops run or supervised by experts in order to be fully prepared for NMUN.  These workshops included training on UN rules of procedure and jargon, Model United Nations conferences at EGE, and training at the Diplomatic Academy of Morocco.

The event is a simulation of three UN bodies: the General Assembly, ECOSOC and the Security Council, in addition to several other UN committees, such as UNESCO, C-34, HRC, UNHCR, and others.

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Rabat - Maroc Cultures Association has announced the participation of Jamaican singer Sean Peal in the 14th edition of the Mawazine Rhytms of the World Festival. The star of Reggae and Reggaeton music will perform on Sunday May 31st, 2015 on the OLM Souissi in Rabat.

Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques, better known by the name of Sean Paul, was born in 1973 in Kingston, Jamaica. On March 28th, 2000, Sean Paul released his first album, Stage One, ranked number 2 in the category of "Reggae Album," on the American Billboard magazine.

In 2004, Sean Paul won the Grammy Award for "Best Reggae Album" with his second album Dutty Rock, a worldwide success selling over 6 million copies. His third album, The Trinity, was ranked number one on the Hot 100 Billboard for 31 weeks.

Thanks to his album released in 2005, Sean Paul was nominated 4 times at the Billboard Music Awards in 2006. He also won an American Music Award for "(When You Gonna) Give It Up to Me."

Sean Paul produced 6 albums during the course of his career, and sold over 10 million records around the world.

The 14 edition of Mawazine Festival which is scheduled to take place between May 29th and June 6th, 2015 in Rabat will also see the participation of Akon, Usher, American Pop Rock band Maroon 5, English Alternative rock band Placebo and Nigerian duo P-Square.

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Rabat - The Russian Ice Stars company will perform their famous musical production, "Peter Pan on Ice,” on March 28 and 29 in the theater of Mohamed V in Casablanca.

For the first time in Morocco, the Russian Ice Stars will entertain a Moroccan audiences with their adaption of J M Barrie’s much loved magical adventure, Peter Pan.

The famous fantasy story will be portrayed on the stage of Mohamed V theater hall, which will be transformed into a spectacle of theatre and ice-skating.

The story takes the audience “to Neverland where you’ll meet pirates, Indians, Peter Pan and of course everyone’s favorite baddie, Captain Hook in their ice-skating adventure,” according to the Ice Stars’ website.

Doors open at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on March 28 and at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on March 29.

Tickets to the show are fixed at MAD 200 (about $20) and can be purchased online on at: maroctickets.ma.

[video id="Q2HTkH0pWSU" type="youtube"]

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Washington - Tamara Haddad and Hicham Jennane, teachers of Arabic at schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas, led a group of six American middle and high school students of Arabic on an ambitious eleven-day cultural and linguistic tour around the major cities of Morocco.

In the first of a planned program of cultural tours and student exchanges, Arabic teachers Tamara Haddad and Hicham Jennane chaperoned the first group of six American school students on a cultural and linguistic tour of Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, and Marrakech from March 5-16th.

The tour is one of the first projects of the American Moroccan Alliance (AMA), a nonprofit organization founded by Dr. Ahmed Yanouri, a Moroccan serving on the board of the World Affairs Council of Dallas (WAC), an organization which also provided support for the trip. Dr. Yanouri has sought to create a bridge between the U.S. and Morocco through cultural connections. The tour was funded also with a grant from the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates.

The teachers are part of an innovative language program in the Hearst Euless Bedford school district in Dallas-Fort Worth. Students from Veridian Elementary School, the school where Mr. Jennane teaches which offers Arabic as well as Mandarin Chinese and Hindi in grades 1 through 6, feed into Central Junior High, where Ms. Haddad teaches. The language program includes students from outside the district as well.

At its inception, the language program started at the 7th grade level and expanded to the high school and elementary level with the goal of establishing sister schools in an Arabic speaking country. The focus initially was on Tunisia, but then the revolution kicked in. Other possible countries were Jordan and the UAE, and then they alighted on Morocco.

Although the program was originally supported by a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the funding program was cut and the grant was discontinued in 2013. That did not discourage Ms. Haddad. She went on a study tour and began to make contacts and connections with two schools: Al Medina School in Casablanca and Al Abadila Najah in Agadir, which were looking to switch their French curriculum to English.

During this first tour, the students started in Rabat and visited the Moroccan Parliament. Député Mouloud Bargayou of the Asilah district guided them on a tour of the Parliament and described the different branches of the Moroccan government. Mr. Mouloud also arranged a visit to the Faculty of Law at Mohammed V University, and then invited the students to his beautiful home for a traditional Moroccan dinner with his family.

Going next to Casablanca, the students visited sister school Al Madina School, met their host families, and attended classes with their host students, and participated in the school’s morning assembly. The host families planned various activities for their students, including visits to the beautiful Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Africa, and the 7th largest mosque in the world.

Moving south to Agadir, the students visited the other sister school, Al Abadila Najah School where they were greeted by children garbed in beautiful Moroccan dress representing the different regions of Morocco, as well as their host students, teachers and administrators. They had a full program including a chance to explore Agadir, and take excursions to the beach and the mountains outside of the city.

Travelling further south to Marrakech, the students attended a traditional Moroccan wedding, visited the 12th century Menara Gardens, experienced Marrakech’s bustling main square Jemaa El Fna, took a 4x4 on a mountain adventure, and enjoyed the spectacle of dinner and the Moroccan Fantasia show featuring synchronized horse riders.

“Sharing experience in a foreign country, learning about the culture, practicing the language staying with the families is a way to address misunderstanding and combat stereotypes,” said Ms. Haddad. “It allows the students to make their own judgments about the people and country.”
Mr. Jennane added, “Trips like this create lasting impressions; there is no match for actually being there and experiencing the life.”

The two teachers hope it will be the first of many such tours. They say that School Superintendent Keith Chapman and the School Board are very supportive of the effort. They hope to expand the program to permit more international collaboration by teachers, including shared professional development, and possibly an exchange program for teachers in the future.

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Rabat - This year’s edition of the Billboard Festival Casablanca will take place on April 1-15.

This year’s project will take place in Casablanca, where 63 full-size billboards will display the photographic works of 63 Moroccan and Scandinavian women, including the work of students from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen and the École supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Casablanca.

Billboard Festival Casablanca will landscape the streets of Casablanca for two weeks. It will not only enable thousands of passersby to enjoy and contemplate art, but it will also raise their awareness about gender issues and offer them an opportunity to discover a woman’s angle of vision.

On April 1-7, a full festival event will take place at the Villa des Arts de Casablanca. It will include artist talks, video displays, performances and debates.

The whole project is the first in the African continent, and it will artfully stimulate people’s ideas about urban space, gender issues and identity.

In 2003, the Danish visual artist Hanne Lise Thomsen came up with the concept of using billboards not for advertizing purposes, but for art’s sake.

This Is the List of ArtistS Who Will Participate. From Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland:

Anette Abrahamsson (SE), Jeanne Betak (DK), Katja Bjørn (DK) Yvette Brackman (DK) Christina Capetillo (DK), Sidse Carstens (DK), Charlotte Haslund- Christensen (DK), The Icelandic Love Corporation (IS), Hilda Ekeroth (SE), Maria Finn (SE), Fryd Frydendahl (DK); Gudrun Hasle (DK), Ane Henriksen (DK), Ditte Haarløv Johnsen (DK), Kirsten Justesen (DK), Lene Adler Petersen (DK), Lilibeth Cuenca Rasmussen (DK), Jytte Rex (DK), Aurora Reinhard (FI), Beathe C.Rønning (NO), Christel Sverre (NO), Jeanette Sætre (NO) Hanne Lise Thomsen (DK), Charlotte Troldahl (DK).

From Morocco:

Rita Alaoui, Leila Alaoui, Zineb Andress Arraki, Myriem Baadi, Aïcha El Beloui, Carolle Benitah, Yasmina Benabderrahmane, Hind Bensari, Deborah Benzaquen, Siham Achari Berrada, Celine Croze, Safaa Erruas, Soukeina Hachem, Yasmine Hajji, Soukaïna Aziz El Idrissi, Maria Kabbaj, Zahrin Kahlo, Wafae Ahalouch el Keriasti, Jamila Lamrani, Randa Maroufi, Safaa Mazirh, Fatima Mazmouz, Zara Samiry, Bouanani Touda, Fatiha Zemmouri

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Tunis - The Tunisian Ministry of Culture organized a symbolic ceremony on Tuesday, March 24 to honor the 21 victims, including a Tunisian police officer, and to announce the opening of Bardo Museum on Wednesday.

"Tunisia has lived through bad and good events. We are very proud of this solidarity. Cultural projects are continuing in Tunisia because culture is the core of the people’s history. This event is a symbol of resistance and we organize it to tell the world that we are standing. No one can kill this culture," said Latifa Lakhdhar, the Tunisian Minister of Culture, to Morocco World News.

Emotions

A week before the World Social Forum (WSF), Islamic State terrorists conducted a terrorist attack at Bardo Museum, killing twenty tourists and a Tunisian police officer, in addition to the attackers.

"After this terrible event in Bardo, we were all sad. This memorial recalls the history of Tunisia and its humanity. Today we have to continue living. We can fight terrorism through culture, music, and cinema," said Kacem Reda, the CEO of the National Agency of heritage. "We have to teach young people from an early age to love others and to respect them, and all the sympathy we have received in recent days should help us in developing a strategy to attract more people and to say that Tunisia is a land of peace and that it was just an accident," he added.

The memorial was a symbolic cultural event and a response to the terrorists’ act. The Tunisian people sent a message to the world loudly saying that they are not afraid, even if they were affected by the events. On the occasion of the World Social Forum, a solidarity march with thousands of associations and individuals from more than 150 countries took place from the center of Tunis to the Bardo Museum, and was organized to express solidarity with Tunisia. Marchers raised signs saying "I am Bardo."

Security measures have also strengthened in recent days. This has further reassured the representatives of international associations to participate in the forum’s activities. The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights issued a statement reassuring the participants.

According to Noureddine Bhiri, chairman of the parliamentary Bloc Ennahda, the country does not have a legal vacuum, but it should have a new anti-terrorist law that should be more severe. "I insisted on the implementation of the 2003 law, despite the objections of many who see in it a violation of human rights. Now we wait for a bill proposal from the new Ministry of Justice," explained Bhiri, a former Minister of Justice.

A representative Museum’s public

On Tuesday, a ceremony was held in response to the attack, including a concert by the Tunisian Symphony Orchestra and performances of Tunisian children shouting, "we are able to defend Tunisia", and youth carrying the flags of the victims’ countries.

On Monday, the Director General of UNESCO sent a letter to Tunisian president Beji Caid Essebsi welcoming the reopening of the Bardo Museum, "a place that is opened to all, for discovery and dialogue of cultures ".

However, several journalists were barred from covering the event, according to Mosaique FM private radio. Admission was by invitation of the Ministry of Culture. For "logistical problems," opening the site to "thousands of people" was impossible. "This space can not contain thousands of people. We tried to make a selection that represents everyone, among whom are journalists and representatives of the people," said the Minister of Culture.

"Journalists were allowed to film in the museum. We have just asked them not to film the place of the crime. This ceremony carries a message of solidarity and understanding, that in itself is a message to the world," explained Moncef Ben Moussa, curator of the National Museum of Bardo.

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Tunis - A year ago, in the spring of 2014, Aspire to Inspire Tunisia’s event “Unleash the Poet Within You” brought together  passionate students, inspiring poets and proud teachers. Gathered with the unifying love for poetry, the vital need for self-expression and the unbridled urge to aspire to inspire, they rendered a seemingly common April day into an exceptional day of inner and outer journeys, new acquaintances and new memories.

A year ago, Aspire to Inspire Tunisia was born. However, this novice initiative was able to inspire souls, transcend differences and prejudices, alter negatives attitudes and unleash latent talents with the simple yet rare act of expressing one’s self. (Read Aspire to Inspire's first edition).

For a wider and more durable positive impact, Aspire to Inspire Tunisia gets back into action this year with a second edition of the event “Unleash The Poet Within You.”

Indeed, it holds the same belief that allowing the hidden self to relish in an outer manifestation through Performative Poetry is a therapy to the participant and an inspiration to the spectator. This year, it seeks to anchor that belief even deeper in the minds of Tunisian youth, contributing as such, to build a confident generation that dares to speak its mind and teach fellow  humans that freedom of self-expression is a right.

Nurturing this faith, Aspire to Inspire Tunisia aligns itself with the international tendencies to “Be o ne’s self.” Activists, influential figures, coaches, famous bloggers, authors, even movie-makers, cartoons and animes’ characters all strive to stimulate young people to “be who they really are,  to follow their hearts and  be themselves.

The issue might appear romanticized. However, forming a strong base of powerful youth that is willing to voice its concerns and desires is of a paramount importance. A generation that is brave enough to speak to the world about its perplexities and aspirations is a generation that acknowledges its problems. One that  is ready to move forward, for awareness is half the solution.

Determined to take part in this mission through the Art of Spoken-poetry, Aspire to Inspire Tunisia carries on the spirit of “Unleash The Poet Within You” this year, bringing new ideas for a wider reach and greater inspiration. Indeed, in order to tell more about its story and its inspiring opportunities, it announced the possibility for old performers to become ambassadors; these will be able to be representatives of the initiative in their own universities and high schools.

Aspire to Inspire Tunisia paves the way, in this manner, for a larger number of people to participate, work and feel like home within the initiative.

“Unleash The Poet Within You” will take place on the 4^th of April 2015, in the amphitheater of The Ecole Normale Supérieure de Tunis, hoping to welcome and host those who seek to inspire the world with their stories, their worries and their dreams.

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Rabat - Maroc Cultures Association has announced the participation of Lebanese soprano Majda El Roumi in the 14th edition of the Mawazine Rhytms of the World Festival. The diva will perform on Sunday May 31st, 2015 at Mohammed V Theater in Rabat.

Majda El Roumi Baradhy, better known as Majida El Roumi, is one of the most successful singers of the Arab world, as well as a UN Goodwill Ambassador. This is the second time to see Majda El Roumi perform at Mawazine Festival after her first performance in 2010.

Majda was born on December the 13th in 1957 in Lebanon. She is the daughter of Lebanese musician Halim El Roumi.

As a child, she used to listen to the works of the great musicians of the Arab world such as Fairuz, Umm Kulthum, Mohammed Abdel Wahab, Wadih Safi and Asmahan.

In 1975, Majda released her first single "Am Behlamak" (I am dreaming of you, Lebanon), with collaboration with Lebanese poet Said Akl and musician Elias Rahbani.

The 14 edition of Mawazine Festival which is scheduled to take place between May 29th and June 6th, 2015 in Rabat will also see the participation of Akon, Usher, American Pop Rock band Maroon 5, English Alternative rock band Placebo and Nigerian duo P-Square.

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Kenitra - Chefchaouen or Chaouen is one of the prettiest cities in the northwest of Morocco, portraying the authenticity of Moroccan culture with the Andalucian influence.

Attractively perched beneath the raw peaks of the Rif, the beautiful city of Chefchaouen was built first in 1471 by Moulay Ali Ben Moussa Ben Rachid El Alami as a small fortress to protect Northern Morocco from the Portuguese invaders.

With its Arabic, Berber, Jewish and Morrish heritage, Chefchaouen reflects the ethnic diversity and cultural richness of the kingdom.

Long known to backpackers for the easy availability of kif (cannabis smoked in long pipes), the town is a well-known tourist destination, offering a range of varied delicious food particularly goat cheese which is native to the area.

Every year, thousands of people visit the city to enjoy its luxurious native handicrafts, blue rinsed houses and its fabulous scenery.

Chefchaouen is home to the famous waterfall of Akchour, which is considered by tourists as a little paradise on earth. Located in the valley of Talembote, the waterfall is a pristine natural beauty, attracting more and more tourists since the opening of the natural park of Talassemtane.

Here are some photos taken of the city by the Moroccan photographer Miloud Zbir

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Rabat - Oscar winning actor Nicolas Cage will be shooting a number of scenes of his new movie, a Bin Laden satire called “Army of One”, in Morocco.

Cage will be playing the role of Gary Faulkner, an American construction worker, who has one mission: to hunt down Osama Bin Laden. Based on a true story, Gary Faulkner crossed Afghanistan Mountains armed with a pistol, a sword, night vision goggles, and a map. However, his mission was interrupted when he was caught near the Afghani borders.

Due to the stability, peace, and various landscapes Morocco enjoys, it has become one of the most popular destinations for shooting movies in the Arab world. Mission Impossible 5, American Sniper, and the upcoming James bonds movie, Spectre, are few examples.

Army of One, based on a GQ article, will be released at the end of 2015. It will bring the fading star, Nicolas Cage, back to the cinema in a leading role.

Cage will be teaming with director Larry Charles, who is famous for writing and producing Seinfeld, as well as directing the films The Dictator, Brüno, Religulous, and Borat.

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By Khadija Amoussi

Marrakech - “We are adults, but the child we once were, lives inside us.” This is what a friend of mine once said to me. This statement rings true. When we feel nostalgic, and want to share our childhood stories, or to hear about a friend we had great times with, the child within us moves and feels!

Nearly two years ago, I discovered this statement to be true indeed. I was watching TV when my mother came to speak to me. She looked pale and said in a weak, husky voice, “Youssef is dead.” Youssef was my cousin, as well as our neighbor. My mother talked about how well educated he was, and described his weird accent when calling her “my aunt.” His death shocked me, and I clearly remember that I didn’t want to accept it. Youssef was one of my best childhood friends; many precious moments of my childhood were spent with him. One time I always remember is when Youssef stole a coin from me, and I cried the whole day the day.

It was a sunny day. The dust on the narrow alleyways was glimmering under the golden rays of the sun. Our innocent smiles were singing a song of joy to the whole neighborhood. That day, we were playing a game called “Elkari” in our special place next to my grandmother’s house. In this game, we drew some squares on the floor and tried to jump from square to square without touching the lines. It was my turn. When I was jumping, a coin flew out of my little pocket. My grandmother had given me the coin a few hours before; it was a precious treasure, and I planned to buy some delicious candies from Ali’s shop later on. Youssef picked up the coin and disappeared. He ran fast, and I chased after him. Unfortunately, I was unable to catch up, and went back home, screaming and weeping. My grandmother told me to calm down, and handed me two coins, “Here are two instead of one.”, but I couldn’t help but think about my stolen coin. I wanted that special coin he had stolen from me.

I felt like a wounded emperor; a loser in the game of life. I was waiting, like an angry cat, for Youssef to show up that day, but he didn’t. I imagined him grinning while munching on delicious candies. Naturally, I was burning up inside - anticipating his arrival - when I would take my revenge.

The next day, I saw Youssef at school and sat down right next to him. Occasionally, I would glance at him in a threatening manner; to remind him how cruel he was to have stolen my precious coin. Youssef didn’t care, because he knew if we began to argue, he would win. After class, I ran up to him, grabbed his jacket, and shouted, “Where is my coin?” He told me that he had bought some candies with it. I let go of his jacket and began to cry like a baby, right in front of the class. The teacher came out and asked me what was going on, but I was unable to answer. Youssef told her the truth, that he had stolen my coin. She laughed and told me to calm down, just like my grandmother had. I couldn’t; I was upset about my stolen coin! Everyone sneered at me, but this was personally, a big deal. I had been taught not to steal from others.

Two days later, Youssef’s mother came to my home, and asked me to end the cold war with him, but I refused. In fact, I was waiting for him to apologize because it was his fault, was it not? In the afternoon, he came to our special place. I was playing with a friend of mine when Youssef found me and began speaking, but I immediately ignored him. After a short while, he placed his hand in his pocket and took out a coin; it was my coin! He said, “I didn’t buy any candies.” I snatched the coin from him and smiled, asking, “Do you want to play with me?”

Sometimes, I wish he were still alive to steal my coins, and it’s hard for me to accept the fact that he is gone. He no longer exists on this nasty planet. He is in heaven for sure, because people like him cannot go to hell. Youssef was my best friend. From time to time, when walking alone, I feel him holding my hand and walking with me. I really do enjoy imagining him smiling and talking. His accent, his strange “R” and his innocent heart!

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Tétouan- The 21st Tetouan International Festival for Mediterranean Cinema (FICMT) opened, Saturday in Tétouan, with the participation of an array of filmmakers and movie actors from the Mediterranean region.

The opening ceremony of the fest, slated March 28-April 4, was marked by a tribute paid to one of the leading Moroccan theater figures, Touria Jabrane.

During this ceremony, attended mainly by Wali of Tangiers-Tétouan region, governor of Tangiers-Asilah prefecture Mohamed El Yaacoubi and director general of the Moroccan cinema center (CCM) Sarim Fassi-Fihri, a posthumous homage was paid to Arab and Egyptian movie star Fatine Hamama, Moroccan actor Mohamed Bastaoui, Egyptian Khalid Saleh and Italian Francesco Rosi.

The event was also marked by the presentation of the jury of short and feature films, documentaries and pedagogical movies.

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Rabat - Maroc Culture Association has announced the participation of Swedish DJ AVICII in the 14th edition of the Mawazine Rhytms of the World Festival. The electro house record producer will perform on Monday, June 1st, 2015 on the OLM Souissi in Rabat.

Tim Bergling, better known by his stage name AVICII, was born on 8 September 1989 in Stockholm, Sweden. He is one of the best DJs in the world at the moment. He has been nominated two times for a Grammy Award for his work on "Sunshine" with David Guetta in 2012 and for his song "Levels" in 2013.

Some of his most famous songs are "I Could Be the One" with Nicky Romero, "Wake Me Up", "You Make Me", "X You", "Hey Brother" and "Addicted to You."

The 14 edition of Mawazine Festival which is scheduled to take place between May 29th and June 6th, 2015 in Rabat will also see the participation of Akon, Usher, American Pop Rock band Maroon 5, English Alternative rock band Placebo and Nigerian duo P-Square.

Photo Credit: Billboard

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Rabat - Morocco's movie capital Ouarzazate is ranked among the best destinations for international filmmakers, says Belgian news website Derniere Heure.

In addition to Ourzazate, the list also included Namibia, Onk Jemel (Tunisia), Phi Phi (Thailand), Petra (Jordan), Almeria (Spain), Svínafellsjökull (Iceland), Evergreen Plantation (Louisiana), Hobbiton (New Zealand) and Trim Castle (Ireland).

Ourzazate is home to the Atlas Studios, one of the largest movie studios in the world.

It is also the site where several international films were shot, including Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, Lawrence of Arabia, The Man Would Be King, Kingdom of Heaven and Babel.

Revenues from foreign production movies shot in Morocco are believed to have reached $120 million in 2014, according to the Moroccan Cinematographic Centre (CCM).

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Casablanca - Jazzablanca presents its tenth annual festival this month in Casablanca, featuring the innovative sounds of six international performers from around the world.

The six day festival runs from April 18-23. American guitarist, song-writer, compositor and singer Raul Midon takes stage on April 18, performing a mix of genres including soul, jazz, blues, R&B and Latino music. He has four albums under his belt: “Gracias a la vida” released in 1999, “State of Mind” in 2005, “A World within a World” in 2007 and “Pick Somebody Up” in 2009. Throughout his carrier, he has worked with eminent musicians and singers like Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez and José Feliciano.

British singer, song-writer and guitarist Charlie Winston performs on April 19. He has fascinated French fans with his “rakish Anglo troubadour look – acoustic guitar, jaunty hat, weather beaten voice – along with a streak of Gallic seen-it-all.”

His Album “Hibo” released in 2009 ranked first in the French charts. He comes from a musical family: his parents are Jeff and Julie Gleave and his brother is Tom Baxter.

Anouar Brahem will be playing oud on April 20. His twenty-year career is marked by innovation, fusing jazz, folk music and classical genres from the oriental and Mediterranean repertoires. He started recording in 1991 after he became famous in his native country, Tunisia. He released nine albums including “Conte de L'Incroyable Amour” (1991), “Le Pas Du Chat Noir” (2001) and “the Astounding Eyes Of Rita” (2009), to name a few. Anouar Brahem has also received a number of national and international awards.

Grammy nominee, Candy Dulfer, is a Dutch smooth jazz and funk alto saxophonist who began playing at the age of seven. Her fourth album “For the love of you” (1997) was a major hit and remained in the Billboard charts for over forty weeks. She has played with many artists such as Lionel Richie and has performed all over the world from a young age. Dulfer will be performing on the Casa-Anfa stage on April 21, and bringing a feminine vibe to the festival — she is the only female performer participating.

Afrobeat lovers will meet with the co-creator with Fela Kuti of the hugely popular and influential Afrobeat style on April 22, Tony Allen. Allen is one of the African continent's most important artists. He has inspired generations of musicians worldwide and is a legendary figure amongst fans of funk, jazz, hip hop and African music. This self-taught kit drummer’s melodies are imbued with internal youth. During his 45-year career, he has worked with famous names like U2, Damon Albarn, and Gorillaz and Blu.

The closing concert will be performed by Keziah Jones. The king of blufunk - a fusion between raw blues elements and hard, edgy funk rhythms, Jones is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and guitarist, heavily influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Fela Kuti. He gained popularity in England and France with singles like "Rhythm Is Love" and "Beautiful Emile."

Since its first festival in 2006, Jazzablanca has become a key event for jazz music lovers around the world. Featuring varied and rich programming, more than 400 musicians have performed in the festival since its inception.

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Rabat - 'King of Rai' music Cheb Khaled has been convicted for stealing the song, Didi, one of his biggest hits, from another Algerian Rai music singer.

"Didi", the 1993 hit is by far Cheb Khaled's most famous song. It became popular throughout the Arab World and also in Asia, where it entered musical top charts in India and Pakistan, and in Europe, including France, Belgium and Spain.

The song was also used in a Bollywood film titled Shreeman Aashiq and was played during the inauguration ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

However, on Tuesday, April 7th, the song's originality was called into question when a Paris Court convicted Cheb Khaled for stealing the song from another Algerian Rai singer called Cheb Rabah.

The court ordered Cheb Khaled to pay Cheb Rabah 100,000 euros as compensation for non-pecuniary damage and an additional 100,000 euros in compensation to his moral copyright law.

The court took into consideration that Rabah Zeradine, better known as Cheb Rabah, a composer, author and a Rai performer, lost a chance to gain significant reputation due to the song's success, Jeune Afrique reported.

"This is a success that was based on a lie," said Jean-Marie Guilloux, the plaintiff's lawyer. Meanwhile, Cheb Khaled's lawyer, Laurence Goldgrab announced his client's intention to appeal the verdict.

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Rabat - Maroc Culture Association has announced on Friday the participation of American rapper and songwriter Pharrel Williams in the 14th edition of the Mawazine Rhytms of the World Festival.

The singer and record producer will perform on Monday, May 30th, 2015 on the OLM Souissi stage in Rabat.

Born in 1973 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Pharrel Williams, also known as Pharrel, released his first single "Frontin" in 2003 and was followed up with his debut solo album In My Mind in 2006. His second album, Girl, was released on March 3, 2014.

The Happy singer has also produced many hit singles for various recording artists. He has earned eleven Grammy Awards including two with the Neptunes, a record production duo he jointly created with record producer Chad Hugo. He is also the lead vocalist and drummer of N *E *R *D, a rock, funk, and hip hop band he formed with Hugo and childhood friend Shay Haley.

The 14 edition of Mawazine Festival which is scheduled to take place between May 29th and June 6th, 2015 in Rabat will also see the participation of Akon, Usher, American Pop Rock band Maroon 5, English Alternative rock band Placebo and Nigerian duo P-Square.

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