Conference discusses means to promote Amazigh culture in Morocco

A conference, held Saturday in Rabat, reviewed the results of the action taken to promote the Amazigh culture in Morocco and discussed the prospects of the development of Tamazight, language of the Berbers (Imazighen) of North Africa.

The Royal Institute for the Amazigh Culture (IRCAM) contemplates holding meetings in the coming months with Amazigh associations and civil society representatives to this aim, said Ahmed Assid, IRCAM representative before the conference on "Amazighity in the aftermath of the Ajdir speech: results and prospects."

Assid told the conference the Amazigh language is heading to standardisation of the many dialects of this language as part of a five-year programme to standardize Berber school books.

The conference, that discussed means to carry on the efforts to enhance the Amazigh culture and language, kicked off the second round of the meetings (October 16 through 18) held by the Association for the commemoration of the Royal speech of Ajdir (ACDA).

The ACDA was created in 2003 to commemorate every year the Royal speech, addressed by King Mohammed VI on October 17, 2001.

"The Royal Institute of the Amazigh Culture will, through the fulfilment of the mission vested on it to preserve and promote the Amazigh culture and consolidate its rank in the national educational, socio-cultural and media space, give a new momentum to this culture as (É) a source of pride for all Moroccans," said the sovereign in the speech.