Fez — A Moroccan caftan has joined the collections of the Museum of African Art in Belgrade after a donation ceremony held during Durbar Day, part of the Serbian capital’s Afro Festival.
The museum’s 2026 Afro Festival ran from June 20 to 21 at its Senjak venue and presented Durbar as a day of friendship, music, dance, food, crafts, and diplomatic exchange, with Morocco among the participating embassies.
The donated garment, described by the museum as more than 60 years old, was offered by the Serbian-Moroccan Friendship Association and the Belhayat family of Fez. It is set to become part of the museum collection as a testimony to Moroccan craftsmanship and cultural heritage.
The ceremony included welcome remarks by Omar Amghar, Morocco’s ambassador to Serbia, and was followed by a fashion showcase of Moroccan caftans and takchitas from the Belhayat family collection. The presentation aimed to introduce visitors to the aesthetics, craft, and cultural meanings that shape Moroccan caftan-making.
According to details shared around the event, Amghar described the caftan as the expression of centuries-old know-how passed down through generations. He said the garment reflects the creativity, refinement, and cultural richness of Moroccan craftsmanship.
The donation comes months after the Moroccan caftan was inscribed in 2025 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity under the title “Moroccan Caftan. Art, traditions and skills.”
The event also highlighted the role of private families and friendship associations in cultural exchange. Rather than remaining a ceremonial object, the donated caftan becomes a public-facing piece that can help tell Morocco’s story to new audiences.
