The Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME) is supporting the 4th edition of the Marrakech Photography Encounters, to be held from 23 to 27 October 2024, according to a joint press release issued by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO) and the municipality of Marrakech.
The Moroccan press agency (MAP) reports that ‘this event brings together photographers from China, the guest country, as well as Canada, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, to celebrate the art of photography in all its diversity’.
The event was launched in 2016 by the Voix Plurielles association, in partnership with Cultures Nomades Production (France), the Conseil Régional du Tourisme (CRT), as well as numerous cultural and economic operators in Marrakech, and has quickly become one of the major gatherings for contemporary photography.
In just a few years, the “Rencontres de la photographie de Marrakech” has become a major international event, competing with major events such as the Rencontres de la Photographie d'Arles, while preserving a unique Moroccan identity,’ adds the same source.
For the 4th edition of this event, Marrakech, which was recently designated the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World 2024, is fully mobilising, and a large number of the city's emblematic spaces will be hosting exhibitions and events as part of the event.
They include Cadi Ayyad University, the Mohammed VI Cultural Centre, the Dar El Bacha Confluences Museum, Meydene, M'Avenue, the Dada Gallery, the Sofitel Hotel, as well as emblematic sites such as the Place de la Koutoubia, the Place des Ferblantiers, the station forecourt, the Town Hall forecourt, and the Palais des Congrès forecourt with the Mövenpick.
This year's event will focus on women photographers, with two highlights: Cartes Blanches dedicated to Afghan women and the African diaspora, highlighting their resilience and hopes, and the Regard de Femmes exhibition featuring the work of three internationally renowned photographers, Angèle Etoundi Essamba, Cynthia Benjamin, Copper and Mina Kawachy.
According to the organisers, Marrakech will be vibrant with photography for five days, and the programme will include international exhibitions in Marrakech's cultural and historical venues, where renowned and emerging photographers will be exhibiting their work.
The statement goes on to say that workshops will be held at Cadi Ayyad University and the Benabdallah School Group, in partnership with Epson, from 17 October, to raise awareness of photography among students and high-school pupils, with the aim of inspiring the younger generation to take up the art.
Portfolios will also be read on 24 and 25 October, starting at 10am, at the Musée de la Gastronomie, the document states, pointing out that photographers will be able to present their portfolios to a panel of experts and receive constructive criticism to improve their work.
There will also be talks and debates on 24 and 25 October at the university, including a lecture on the legal aspects of photography, such as image rights and copyright, as well as the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on creation.
With MAP
