Cultural Stay Offers Moroccan Children a Chance to Meet National Football Stars
The 25th edition of the Cultural Stay, hosted by the Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans Living Abroad, brought together hundreds of Moroccan children from across the globe. This special gathering offered them a unique opportunity to interact with the stars of the national futsal team.
The event was graced by the presence of renowned football legends Aziz Bouderbala, Salaheddine Bassir, and the assistant coach of the national A team, Rachid Benmahmoud. The inauguration of a new field, aptly named “Lions of the Atlas,” also took place during the ceremony.
Fatiha Amellouk, director of the Art, Culture and Communication division of the Hassan II Foundation, emphasized the positive impact this meeting would have on the children. She explained that the initiative was a direct response to the children’s desire to connect with their idols and gain inspiration.
The Cultural Stay welcomes 740 children aged 9 to 13 from various countries, including France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Palestine, Senegal, Gabon, and Tunisia. The program runs in three phases, with each period hosting 245, 240, and 255 children, respectively.
Since its inception in 1998, the Cultural Stay has provided a platform for MRE children to reconnect with their cultural heritage and identity through various educational and cultural activities.