- Award to the Chinese delegation, guest of honour
- Awarding the winners of the Mata game
- The Mata Festival, with an African touch
The third day of the 12th edition of the Mata International Equestrian Festival was distinguished by the presentation of the message of allegiance to King Mohammed VI, signed by the president of the festival, Nabil Baraka.
From the district of Moulay Abdeslam, the director of the festival, Omar Hajji, thanked in his reading of the message of allegiance the support of the Moroccan sovereign for this cultural event and his commitment to preserve the intangible heritage of the Kingdom.
Hajji listed the various achievements of the Mata Festival throughout its twelve editions, highlighting the success achieved this year with the recognition of the festival as intangible heritage registered by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO), as well as a space for coexistence and cultural exchange open to humanity.
“It is a journey through history that explores the cultures of the country in an atmosphere of spirituality that advocates peace and tolerance since the 12th century, thanks to the Sufi leader Moulay Abdeslam Ibn Mashiche and his followers,” concluded the festival director.
Award to the Chinese delegation, guest of honour
While the Mata International Festival awarded the Chinese guest of honour through the Mata trophy to the China Horse Industry Association, the secretary general of the Chinese Horse Industry Association presented the festival management with a golden horse trophy, expressing his gratitude for being invited.
“The festival was an occasion to consolidate cultural and commercial ties between the Kingdom of Morocco and China; our participation in the festival is an opportunity to seek ways of cooperation in the future between the festival and the China Horse Industry Association,” said the Chinese secretary general.
Awarding the winners of the Mata game
Horse racing is the most traditional rite of passage at the festival, where 36 teams with a total of 360 jockeys participated this year. All competed to win the Mata doll.
After the end of the competition, the name of the winner of the Mata game was announced: Ahmed Jomaa. The best participating team was that of Mzouri, while the young Chtaibi was classified as the best rider of the 12th edition of the Mata International Festival.
The festival closed its 2024 edition by handing out trophies to the different partners who had contributed to the success of the festival; as well as certificates to the participants.
The Mata Festival, with an African touch
The 12th edition of the Mata International Equestrian Festival experienced a great opening to Europe, America, Asia and especially Africa. The festival was attended by the Ivory Coast through one of its members of parliament, who stressed the importance of the festival in strengthening bilateral relations between his country and the Kingdom of Morocco.
In parallel, the group Milagro from Côte d’Ivoire added a special African touch to the festival and the closing ceremony with a show reflecting Ivorian music, dance and culture.
