Spain strengthens its cultural dialogue with Morocco through the 2026 annual program of cultural activities
The meeting was chaired by the Spanish Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, Enrique Ojeda Vila, and was attended by representatives of some of the leading Spanish cultural institutions with an international presence, including Casa Árabe, the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean Foundation, Casa del Mediterráneo, and the El Legado Andalusí Foundation, as well as members of the diplomatic corps and prominent figures from the Moroccan cultural sphere. The reception held after the presentation became an open space for direct exchange between artists, creators, and heads of cultural institutions.
The session was opened by the cultural advisor to the Spanish Embassy, José María Davó Cabra, who welcomed the attendees and emphasized that this program is one of the essential pillars for building solid cultural and civilizational bridges between both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar, continuing a long history of interaction and mutual influence.
For his part, Ambassador Enrique Ojeda, in presenting the general outlines of the 2026 program, stressed that cultural cooperation between Morocco and Spain reflects a shared political will to consolidate a comprehensive relationship that is not limited to the diplomatic sphere, but also encompasses the artistic, scientific, and knowledge dimensions. He also highlighted Morocco's unique position as the country with the second highest number of Cervantes Institute centers in the world, a fact that demonstrates the depth of Spain's cultural presence in the Kingdom.
The Spanish diplomat emphasized the Moroccan-Andalusian legacy as a unique model of cultural fusion, both in its tangible and intangible expressions—architecture, music, and gastronomy—noting that this shared heritage will be one of the central themes of cultural cooperation in 2026.
In this regard, he announced that the city of Tetouan, in its capacity as the “Mediterranean capital of culture and dialogue,” will be one of the main venues for the implementation of the program, along with Tangier, due to its strong historical symbolism in Spanish-Moroccan relations.
The ambassador also praised the support for the program from key Moroccan institutions, in particular the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco, which he described as a strategic partner in consolidating these ties, as well as major cultural events such as the Rabat International Book Fair.
For her part, the director general of the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean Foundation, Mar Umadá,said that her institution attaches particular importance to promoting mutual understanding between the peoples of the Mediterranean. She pointed out that its program in Morocco for 2026 will focus especially on the city of Tetouan, through participation in artistic and cultural festivals such as “Women's Voices” and the “Mediterranean Music Festival,” as well as parallel activities in Essaouira, Rabat, and Tangier.
In the same vein, the president of the National Museum Foundation of Morocco, Mehdi Qotbi, stressed that culture remains the most effective means of strengthening dialogue and understanding between peoples, highlighting the institution's role in supporting joint cultural projects and opening up to international experiences.
In this context, the magazine Atalayar asked the Spanish ambassador a direct question about whether culture can become a strategic bridge to strengthen trust between the new generations of both countries ahead of 2026.
In his response, Ambassador Ojeda stated that culture goes beyond being a mere artistic or intellectual activity to become an effective tool for building trust and consolidating mutual understanding. He pointed out that the exchange of artistic and literary experiences, as well as the organization of joint workshops, allow the new generations of Morocco and Spain to learn about each other's values and strengthen the feeling of shared belonging, which contributes to strengthening bilateral relations in the long term.