For the first time in Morocco, ASEAN missions are uniting to present a public festival of Southeast Asian culture, food, and heritage.
Rabat – In a significant diplomatic and cultural initiative, the ASEAN Committee in Rabat, comprising the Royal Thai Embassy in concert with the Embassies of Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Viet Nam, has announced it will be hosting the first-ever ASEAN Bazaar and Cultural Festival in the Kingdom of Morocco.
The event will take place on Saturday, 9 August 2025, at the Royal Thai Embassy, located at 33 Avenue Lalla Meriem in the Souissi district of Rabat, from 11:00 to 16:00.
Organized in honor of the 58th anniversary of the founding of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the festival marks a new milestone in ASEAN-Morocco relations.
It also serves as a celebration of the ASEAN-Morocco Sectoral Dialogue Partnership, signalling an increasingly active role for ASEAN member states in advancing cultural diplomacy and expanding public awareness in the North African region.
This is the first occasion in which ASEAN embassies in Morocco have collaborated on an event of this scale.
It offers a rare opportunity for Moroccans and other residents to discover the rich cultural heritage, diverse traditions, and unique artisanal products of Southeast Asia.
Admission to the festival will be free, insisting on the inclusive nature of the celebration.
Visitors to the bazaar will be treated to traditional music, dance performances, and other cultural showcases representing the distinct identities of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
Each performance aims to introduce Moroccan audiences to the depth and variety of ASEAN cultures, from graceful classical dances and colourful ceremonial costumes to vibrant folkloric expressions passed down over generations.
In addition to live performances, the bazaar will feature a range of food stalls offering authentic dishes and drinks at accessible prices.
Guests will be able to sample signature regional flavors, from aromatic Thai specialities and spicy Indonesian fare to Malaysian delicacies and Vietnamese street-food favourites.
The culinary component is expected to be one of the major draws of the festival, providing a genuine taste of Southeast Asia’s world-renowned gastronomic landscape without leaving Rabat.
Beyond culture and cuisine, the festival will also shine a spotlight on national products and handicrafts from ASEAN countries.
The embassies hope that by showcasing these goods, many of which reflect centuries-old craftsmanship and distinctive national identities, Moroccan consumers will gain a better appreciation of ASEAN’s creativity, economic potential, and trade offerings.
Organisers believe this aspect of the festival will contribute to stronger economic and cultural ties between Morocco and ASEAN nations in the future.
Given limited public parking near the embassy grounds, attendees are advised to use public transport or car-share where possible.
Organisers announced that the venue is centrally located and easily accessible by major transport routes in Rabat.
ASEAN, founded on 8 August 1967, is a leading regional organisation comprising ten member states: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
Its establishment marked a historic step in promoting regional political stability, economic cooperation, and social development across Southeast Asia.
Over the decades, ASEAN has gained recognition as a platform for dialogue and collaboration within Asia and beyond, engaging with partner countries, international institutions, and regional bodies.
Morocco, which became an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner in 2016, has sought in recent years to diversify its diplomatic outreach and deepen its economic engagement with Southeast Asia.
The ASEAN Bazaar and Cultural Festival in Rabat reflects this growing partnership and represents an important soft-power dimension of ASEAN diplomacy in the Middle East and Africa.
By bringing the sounds, flavors, and artistic expressions of Southeast Asia directly to a Moroccan audience, the event promises to foster cross-cultural understanding and strengthen people-to-people connections.
As ASEAN continues to expand its international profile, initiatives such as this festival demonstrate the value of cultural diplomacy in building bridges, celebrating diversity, and promoting mutual respect on the global stage.
The Embassy organizers extend an open invitation to all interested members of the public to attend the festival and join in celebrating ASEAN’s rich cultural landscape.
