Assahafa.com
The 4th edition of “Night of Museums and Cultural Spaces”, a flagship event in the national cultural calendar, was launched on Thursday at the National Jewelry Museum in the Oudayas, Rabat, under the theme: “Moroccan youth, guardians of tomorrow’s heritage.”
The event was marked by the presence of HM the King’s Advisor, André Azoulay; the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, Azzedine El Midaoui; the President of the National Museums Foundation (FNM), Mehdi Qotbi; as well as prominent figures from various fields.
Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the event featured the inauguration of the exhibition “Caftan of Yesterday, a Contemporary Gaze”, which establishes a dialogue between heritage, antique textiles, and contemporary design.
Showcasing rare pieces from its collections, the National Jewelry Museum offers, through this rich exhibition, a journey through the history of the Moroccan caftan and its emergence into haute couture. In parallel, creations by renowned Moroccan designer Fadila El Gadi—combining artisanal finesse with modern lines—illustrate the vitality of an age-old craft with a universal reach.
The exhibition builds a living bridge between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary creativity, highlighting the richness of transmitted gestures, the symbolic depth of ornaments, and the storytelling power of materials. It is a tribute to the intelligence of thread, the rhythm of the workshop, and the living memory of traditional attire as a form of expression.
On this occasion, El Gadi emphasized that the exhibition is a dialogue between ancient, authentic caftans and contemporary creations, noting that her inspiration draws from traditional garments across all regions of the Kingdom.
She also underscored the importance of preserving heritage and protecting national cultural legacy, noting that she founded a free embroidery school to train underprivileged youth in embroidery arts.
For his part, Amine Boushaba, the exhibition curator, noted that “Caftan of Yesterday, a Contemporary Gaze” features antique caftans from the museum’s magnificent collection, some dating back to the 18th century, alongside highly creative and richly crafted contemporary pieces by Fadila El Gadi.
He further praised the Moroccan designer as “an excellent ambassador” for Moroccan fashion and national craftsmanship, especially embroidery, highlighting her active role in promoting and showcasing cultural heritage both nationally and internationally.
Source: map
