فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
A climate of tension and discontent is sweeping through the province of Sefrou, according to multiple local sources, as numerous cultural figures and civil society actors express strong dissatisfaction with the way the renowned “Cherry Festival” (Festival du Cerisier or حب الملوك) is being managed. The festival, one of the city’s most celebrated annual events, has recently come under scrutiny for what critics describe as serious mismanagement.
At the heart of the frustration lies a growing sense of exclusion and marginalization among local cultural and community organizations. Many have openly rejected what they see as the unjustified monopolization of the festival’s organization by a limited group of stakeholders, without the participation of local talents and experienced contributors.
Several testimonies confirm that preparations for the upcoming edition of the festival are being carried out with no participatory approach, raising widespread questions about the criteria used for selection, financial management, and program planning. Additional criticism has been directed at the nature of proposed activities, which many claim fail to reflect the aspirations of local residents.
While the festival should serve as a platform to showcase the region’s rich cultural heritage and boost the local economy, observers argue that it has lost much of its appeal in recent years due to what they label as poor governance and ineffective management.
The Cherry Festival is considered one of Morocco’s oldest cultural festivals and has been held annually in Sefrou for over half a century. However, its recent editions have not been free of controversy and criticism, especially regarding the lack of community involvement and the distribution of resources and public support.
Source: Fes News Media
