Arts in Marrakech International Biennale

The Marrakech Biennale, initially known as the Arts Festival in Marrakech, was inaugurated in 2005 by Vanessa Branson and Abel Damoussi, with support from curator Danny Moynihan and Liberatum founder Pablo Ganguli. This festival holds the distinction of being North Africa’s first major trilingual festival, celebrating contemporary visual art, literature, and film. It features a main visual arts exhibition, along with various other exhibitions, installations, happenings, discussions, debates, and screenings across different venues in Marrakech.

1st Edition (2005)

The inaugural event showcased the Wonderful Fund Collection at the Museum of Marrakech, presenting 100 contemporary artworks by 64 artists from 17 countries. The literary program offered panel discussions on English literature and the translation of Arabic literature for Western audiences.

2nd Edition (2007)

This edition saw an increase in participation and attendance. Highlights included exhibitions of South African photography and the L’appartement 22 project, curated by Abdellah Karroum.

3rd Edition (2009)

The main attraction was the visual arts exhibition titled "A Proposal for Articulating Works and Places" curated by Abdellah Karroum. The festival also hosted various discussions, debates, and film screenings at multiple venues.

4th Edition (2012)

Coordinated by Jessica Bannister, this edition revolved around the theme 'Surrender.' The major exhibition, "Higher Atlas" was curated by Dr. Nadim Samman and Carson Chan.

5th Edition (2014)

With over 450 artists participating, including more than 100 Moroccan artists, this edition featured numerous exhibitions and events curated by Hicham Khalidi.

6th Edition (2016)

Curated by Reem Fadda, this edition took a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together artists primarily from the Arab world, the Mediterranean region, and Sub-Saharan Africa. The main exhibition included works by notable artists such as El Anatsui, Mona Hatoum, and Oscar Murillo.

Over the years, the Marrakech Biennale has evolved into a significant platform for contemporary arts in North Africa. It showcases a wide array of artistic expressions and fosters cultural exchange and dialogue, making it a cornerstone event in the region's cultural calendar.