Fund-raising gala to promote Volubilis archeological site

The archeological site of Volubilis, some 200 km northeast of Rabat, hosted on Friday a fund-raising gala to promote and develop the site which is part of the UNESCO's world heritage.

A delegation of outstanding British figures paid 2,000 pounds each to attend the event held to support the Moroccan-British excavation and rehabilitation program. On the Moroccan side, participation included advisor to king Mohammed VI, Andre Azoulay, prime minister, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, culture and communication minister, Mohamed Achaari and local authorities, in addition to a group of artists and businessmen from the two counties.

The five-year project, conducted jointly by the "University College London" and the Moroccan Institute of Archeology and Patrimony Sciences (INSAP), requires 350,000 pounds. It covers research, excavations and restoration of the site dating back to the Roman presence in Morocco.

Last February, British secretary of culture and sports, Christ Smith, launched the "Volubilis Project," and invited intellectuals, artists and businessmen to contribute to this unique cultural and historical project.

After archeological studies were conducted up to last September, a second stage started in spring 2001, promising to reveal more secrets of the Roman life.