11th JIDAR Rabat Street Art Festival Turns City Walls into Global Canvases
The Moroccan capital’s streets have become an open‑air gallery for the 11th edition of the JIDAR Rabat Street Art Festival, which ran from early March through April 27 2025. Organisers say the event invites creators from every continent to paint large‑scale murals on public buildings, turning façades into shared storytelling spaces.
International Artists Bring Diverse Themes to Rabat
- Ecuador – Oscar Medina painted a colossal bird clutching the sun and moon, a visual metaphor for the interplay of nature and universal cycles.
- South Africa – Keya Tama depicted a lion surrounded by lush greenery, accompanied by the Arabic inscription “Knowledge of people is a treasure,” highlighting the value of wisdom across cultures.
- Peru – Jurena Muñoz crafted a dragon‑like figure winding through the wall, bearing the hopeful message “You make the future possible.”
These works were highlighted in festival press releases and covered by regional outlets such as Morocco World News (April 5, 2025).
Moroccan Voices Evolve Alongside Global Guests
- Mohamed Roshdi (Rabat) created a portrait of a woman whose hair morphs into two fishes, blending human and animal forms to speak to the city’s coastal heritage.
- El Mostafa Amziline filled a massive wall with stylised oranges and flowering vines, a nod to Morocco’s agricultural bounty.
- Russian guest Marat Morik paid tribute to local traditions by weaving images of traditional carpets, carved doors, and everyday Rabat residents into his mural.
The festival’s artistic director, Salaheddine Malouli, explained that the juxtaposition of international and Moroccan styles encourages dialogue: “When a visitor sees a Peruvian dragon next to a Moroccan orange grove, the street becomes a classroom without walls.”
Building a Street‑Art Community in Morocco
Since its inception in 2014, JIDAR has facilitated the creation of over 100 murals across Rabat, according to the festival’s official archive (jidar.ma). Malouli noted that the initiative has shifted public perception:
“What was once viewed as vandalism is now recognised as a legitimate cultural expression that attracts tourism, stimulates local businesses, and gives young artists a platform to be seen.”
The festival also runs workshops and guided tours, helping residents learn techniques ranging from spray‑paint stencilling to large‑format brushwork. These educational components reinforce the event’s role as a catalyst for a sustainable street‑art ecosystem in Morocco.
Impact and Legacy
By the close of the 2025 edition, organisers reported:
- More than 30 artists from 20 countries participated.
- Approximately 15,000 visitors attended guided mural walks, boosting foot traffic in the medina and neighbouring districts.
- Local businesses reported a 12 % increase in sales during the festival period, according to a quick survey by the Rabat Chamber of Commerce (Chamber of Commerce Report, 2025).
These figures underscore the festival’s contribution to both cultural vibrancy and economic activity. As JIDAR prepares for its 12th edition, the murals already adorning Rabat’s walls serve as lasting testaments to the power of public art to unite diverse perspectives under a shared sky.
