Marrakech Biennale

Moroccan festival of contemporary international culture

The Marrakech Biennale is a Moroccan festival of contemporary international culture. The fourth edition, Surrender (29th February-4th March 2012) features key figures in literature, film and the visual arts in inter-disciplinary encounters.

"A major arts event with the backdrop of the medieval city of Marrakech, with its tradition of hospitality, wonderful food and glamorous entertainment promises to enlighten, surprise, stimulate and above all be very, very entertaining..." Vanessa Branson, Marrakech Biennale Founder

Discussions, screenings and interventions will look at a diverse array of themes, including the new wave in Moroccan cinema, art and identity in the Middle East and curating for public spaces. The Marrakech Biennale is pleased to announce the participation of Rian Malan, Faouzi Bensaidi, Geoff Dyer, Hicham Lasri, Anthony Horowitz, Dominic West, Alan Yentob, Omar Berrada and Kevin Macdonald amongst others.

Exploring how the imagination engages with global creative currents, and with the city itself, the major exhibition Higher Atlas (29th February - 3rd June 2012) is curated by Carson Chan and Nadim Samman. Over twenty-five international artists, architects, writers, musicians and composers will be participating. All works will be new site-specific commissions, conceived and created on location with local craftspeople and manufacturers. Artists include Karthik Pandian, Aleksandra Domanovic, Jon Nash, Juergen Mayer H and Turner Prize nominated Roger Hiorns.

As the first major festival of contemporary art in North Africa, The Marrakech Biennale has become an internationally recognised event, with a unique programme and a commitment shared with local arts and education partners to promote inter-cultural engagement and to dynamize the regional creative scene.

The Marrakech Biennale is in partnership with; Dar al-Ma’mûn residency, Jnane Tamsna, Amine Kabbaj, Institut Français, Palais de Tokyo, British Council, Helisud Maroc, Calvert 22 Gallery, Tate, ESAV Film School, On Spot Story, Travel Link Morocco and the Goethe Institute.

Marrakech Biennale 29th February - 4th March 2012
An international gathering of performance, screenings and debate. Venues: Various around the city of Marrakech including Riad El Fenn, ESAV Film School, Theatre Royal, Riad Denise Masson, Jemaa el Fna Square.

Higher Atlas (Exhibition) 29th February - 3rd June 2012
Curated by Nadim Samman and Carson Chan Venues: Theatre Royal, Citernes de la Koutoubia and various venues, Marrakech