Walls of Many Colors: The Celebration of Mural Art in the Moroccan City

Abstract

The history of walls in Morocco is extremely rich. Walls have played a powerful role throughout history, recounting stories of protection, resistance and encounter. They stand as historical palimpsests bearing traces of former times. However, in our modern times, walls have now embraced new functions. They have become spaces for creative communication and artistic performance. As a survivor of the Arab Spring revolutions that swept the MENA region by the end of 2010, Morocco has adapted to the transformations that have altered the political landscape in the region by answering the national demands and needs. It has elaborated strategies that aim to ease the masses’ frustrations and answer their aspirations by offering them larger platforms to express themselves and more liveable and breathable public spaces to occupy. Morocco has been creatively upgrading its cities where mural art is celebrated, thus competing with the world’s most famous metropolises. This article explores the evolution of mural art in Morocco with an emphasis on the cultural wall heritage of the country.