This concert highlighted both the deep musical traditions of Morocco and the richness and history of the musical genres that have shaped the country’s millennia-old past. It served as a reminder that Andalusian music, one of the most vivid legacies of a refined Hispano-Maghreb civilization, was born from a fusion of cultures, with Morocco being a fundamental heir.

Reflecting on the significance of this intersection of histories, Ambassador Youssef Amrani, in his opening speech, emphasized: "the importance of music and culture as vehicles of diplomacy to unite and bring together neighboring and distant nations around a humanism that makes no distinction between nationalities, geographies, and religions."

He asserted, "Inclusive by nature, Morocco has preserved the unique heritage of Andalusian music brought by the Moors and Arabs when they settled in cities like Tangier, Tetouan, Fez, and Rabat from the 11th century until after the fall of Granada in 1492. This unique sound, spread through oral transmission, continues to persist due to its authenticity and is now justifiably considered a national heritage in Morocco."

While highlighting the primary importance of art in promoting the cultural and civilizational facets of a Morocco rooted in authenticity and open to modernity, the Ambassador also underscored the richness and diversity of Moroccan culture through an exhibition of works by various Moroccan painters. Their pieces adorned the walls of the OAS, capturing the admiration and curiosity of the attendees.

The exhibition featured works by young artists from the National Institute of Fine Arts in Tetouan, including Cherkaoui Sellami, Rachid Fassih, Ibrahim Hamami, Iman Masrour, Touria Licer, and Zouhair Chihad, alongside creations by contemporary artist Aziz Kibari. This collection of masterpieces showcased the richness of Morocco's artistic and cultural heritage, the product of a unique convergence between its Arab, Amazigh, Sahrawi components, and African, Andalusian, Hebrew, and Mediterranean influences. Ambassador Amrani underlined, "This exhibition, made possible with the invaluable support of the Ministry of Culture, expresses far more than words can about how Morocco is the epicenter of a crossroads of civilizations, honoring values of openness and intercultural dialogue."

The Ambassador of Panama, Ana Irene Delgado, highlighted in her remarks the importance of culture as a diplomatic tool, underscoring the historical ties and shared values between Panama and Morocco. She compared Panama, a crossroads between continents, to Morocco, a bridge between Africa and Europe, as two nations building bridges between peoples and traditions.

She also described the musical performance as a symbol of intercultural dialogue, where each note transcends borders. This evening, she stated, celebrated "shared humanity and the richness of our diversities."

The event was attended by a wide array of distinguished guests from the political, cultural, and civil society worlds, along with several ambassadors accredited to Washington. They expressed their admiration for the works of the Moroccan painters, as well as the performances by Moroccan artists Rachid Halihal and Fayssal Ait Hamadi, and Samuel Batista from Panama.