Prince Albert II of Monaco visits Bayt Dakira
Prince Albert II of Monaco paid a visit on Friday afternoon to the emblematic space Bayt Dakira in Essaouira, a spiritual and heritage center for the preservation and promotion of Judeo-Moroccan memory. During this visit, exhaustive explanations were given to the Monegasque sovereign by the King’s Counselor and founding president of the Essaouira-Mogador Association. André Azoulay, on the emblematic Slat Attia Synagogue as well as on the richness and diversity of the cultural and religious heritage of the Moroccan Jewish community in Bayt Dakira.
The king’s adviser also clarified the various objects, texts, photos and the film of the exceptional saga of Judaism in the city of Essaouira and its heritage: from the tea ceremony to Hebrew poetic art, from goldsmithery from the filigree of gold and silver to embroidery and the making of sumptuous caftans, from cultural arts to literature and from the rituals of the synagogue to the great trading counters that have made the influence of Mogador in the 18th and 19th century.
In a statement to the press at the end of this visit to Bayt Dakira, Prince Albert II said he was “very happy to be in Morocco and this magnificent historic city of Essaouira”, saying he was “very impressed by what has was created in this magnificent memory space to highlight the rich heritage of this city and its region, but also with a view to showing the importance of the two Jewish and Muslim cultures, without forgetting the Amazigh culture, which is part of the history of this city and of Morocco”.
It is “an example for all of us that there can be peaceful coexistence, which can contribute to the wealth of a city and a country,” he argued. “I am very happy to have made this visit and I will keep fond memories of it,” concluded the Monegasque sovereign.
Prince Albert II arrived Friday morning in Essaouira for a private visit.