After hosting a successful first-ever Morocco Day Festival in Washington D.C on March 29, 2019, the Moroccan American Network (MAN) announced it has begun planning for 2020. Mohammed El Hajjam, MAN’s founder said “we are now studying the files of the cities that are expected to be the guest of honor next year, and will be selected from one of the following: Chefchaouen, Essaouira, Marrakech, Rabat, Agadir, Casablanca, Tan-Tan, Laayoune, Tangier, Oujda, Fez, Tata, Ouarzazate, and El Jadida.”
For the next 12 years, a city from one of Morocco’s 12 regions will be chosen to represent the Kingdom. The festival will be held in the U.S. Capital every March 29th and have a goal of “opening the door for the exchange of experiences between businessmen from the US capital and their counterparts in Morocco.”
The first MAN organized festival shined the spotlight on Zagora, the gateway to the Sahara Desert. The successful event was complemented by the playing of Moroccan musician Nouamane Lahlou. He played his song Beautiful Zagora. The lyrics speak about the southern town’s landscapes and hospitable people. Zagora is home to kasbahs and ksours. It is located in the Draa River and Draa Tafilalet region of Southeastern Morocco.
The MAN is a network of senior individuals dedicated to creating opportunities for small business in the US, Morocco, and Africa. They facilitate business and investment forums and events for the American public, U.S. media, and U.S. government officials. They also educate about North Africa’s history and culture and aim to connect the Moroccan, American, Moroccan-American, African-American, and African small business and media communities. The network is sponsored by American and Moroccan-American advocates, lobbyists, lawyers, journalists, media, PR professionals, filmmakers, think tank experts with 100+ combined years, of experience on Capitol, and local media.