Princess Lalla Hasnaa Chairs Inaugural Board Meeting of Rabat Royal Theater Foundation
Rabat, The Gulf Observer: Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa, President of the Rabat Royal Theater Foundation, chaired the first session of the Foundation’s Board of Directors on Thursday at the newly inaugurated Royal Theater in Rabat. The session was attended by French First Lady Brigitte Macron, marking a moment of strong cultural diplomacy between Morocco and France.
The Royal Theater, a visionary initiative of King Mohammed VI, stands as a flagship of Morocco’s cultural renaissance. The Board of Directors is tasked with developing a strategic framework for the theater in line with the King’s directives, ensuring the institution becomes a beacon of artistic excellence in the region.
The diverse board includes prominent international figures from the fields of culture, finance, arts, and diplomacy. Among them are Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums; Brigitte Macron, spouse of French President Emmanuel Macron; and Gad Elmaleh, the globally renowned Franco-Moroccan comedian.
Other influential members include Othman Benjelloun and Michael Zaoui, representing strategic philanthropy; Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of the IFC (World Bank Group), advocating inclusive cultural policy; Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, a pioneer of the Gulf art scene; and Hélène Mercier-Arnault, celebrated concert pianist and patron. The board also features Farid Bensaïd, cultural entrepreneur; Mohamed Yacoubi, diplomat; and Michel Canesi, physician and writer.
Princess Lalla Hasnaa and Brigitte Macron officially inaugurated the Royal Theater on October 29, 2024, under the guidance of King Mohammed VI. The theater, designed by the late world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, is located in the Bouregreg Valley, adjacent to the Hassan Tower and Mohammed V Mausoleum.
Constructed as part of the Bouregreg Valley Development Project, initiated in 2006, the theater represents a significant investment of MAD 1.677 billion (approximately $167.7 million). It spans 7.1 hectares with 25,400 square meters of built space and includes a 1,800-seat auditorium, a 250-seat secondary hall, and an open-air amphitheater for 7,000 attendees. The design incorporates advanced acoustics and versatile staging suitable for a wide range of performances including opera, ballet, theater, symphonies, and musicals.
The Royal Theater is set to become a cultural landmark that not only enhances Rabat’s artistic appeal but also contributes to positioning Morocco on the global cultural map. It symbolizes the country’s modern artistic vision while celebrating its rich cultural heritage.
