French ambassador says Morocco's festival in France is above all a political happening

The French ambassador in Morocco, Michel de Bonnecorse, said Morocco's year-long festival in France is above all "a political happening."

The diplomat told the Tangiers-based radio station "Medi 1" that the two countries' heads of state, King Hassan II and president Jacques Chirac, realized that Moroccan-French exchanges do not depend only on economy and trade and financial flow, and more cultural exchanges are needed.

He added that the objective of the festival is to make the French population more familiar with both traditional and modern aspects of Morocco. He added that on April 13, an exhibition of Moroccan legacy will be opened by the French president and his spouse and that "something very particular" will be organized on July 14, France's national day.

Featuring no less than 200 events, including drama shows, fashion parades, music, and book and painting exhibitions, the event dubbed "Le Temps du Maroc" (Morocco's time) required an estimated $ 21.40 million raised by Morocco and France in addition to funds contributed by private sponsors.