Morocco`s Ambassador to Bulgaria Zakia El Midaoui launches the first edition of the Culinary Arts Festival
Under the auspices of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Republic of Bulgaria, the first edition of the "Sofia Culinary Arts Festival" was organized in a warm and flavorful festive atmosphere, where the bright smells were mixed with bright colors and various melodies.The event, which celebrates the traditions of culinary and popular cultures on five continents, chose to highlight, in its first edition of 2025, the ancient richness of Moroccan cuisine, as a living symbol of civilizational expansion and cultural diversity.
In her opening speech, Zakia Еl Midaoui, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Republic of Bulgaria, expressed her happiness at organizing this landmark cultural date, praising "the outstanding efforts made by all the organizers, as true makers of an event that embodies the values of friendship, multiculturalism, artistic cooperation, solidarity, tolerance and peace.
The theme of "Taste of the Planet" has been chosen for this session as a vibrant tribute to what unites humanity in its common essence: its ability to weave bonds through the arts of cooking, to convey stories through flavors and perfumes, and to build peace from the gate of the senses. It is a unique opportunity for the Bulgarian and international public to discover the world of Moroccan gastronomy, this ancient art that has been shaped over the centuries by the confluence of Amazigh, Andalusian, Jewish, African and Mediterranean influences, where hospitality, sharing and inheritance are authentic cultural values rooted in Moroccan living
But the festival was not limited to a display of culinary arts, but also highlighted the common values that unite Morocco and Bulgaria, foremost of which is the sanctity of the table as a space for memory, for the community, for hospitality and generosity.
The session was characterized by its international multilateral character, with the participation of several States, including Moldova, Indonesia, Egypt, as well as Bulgaria, the host country.
Visitors may travel through the stations of this festival on a sensory journey around the world, interspersed with traditional symbolic dishes, musical performances, folk dances, popular costumes, and handicrafts that express an authentic cultural identity
Ambassador Zakia Еl Midaoui said in her speech on this occasion: “The participation of these countries reminds us that cultural diversity is not a barrier, but a bridge. It is a source of surprise, a means of dialogue, and a call to enrich mutual wealth. “
Among the most prominent moments of the festival were lively paintings of folk dance performances by the delegations of the participating countries, including a distinguished performance by Bulgarian girls wearing the Moroccan kaftan and the Moroccan scraping, and presenting dance paintings inspired by the Moroccan folklore – in a scene that reflected the symbolism of cultural convergence and the depth of cultural exchange
The sensory experience was reinforced by a photographic exhibition dedicated to Morocco, which allowed the audience to enjoy captivating visual aesthetics, reflecting the splendor of its landscapes, the richness of its traditional crafts, and the pulse of its daily life, in a striking harmony between originality and contemporary.
Source: Towns
