Held from June 4 to 6, the first edition of the Marrakech Comedy Festival closed on Saturday night
after three days of shows, laughter, and cultural encounters celebrating Moroccan and Francophone humour.
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In a context where stand-up comedy is gaining strong momentum in Morocco…
the festival brought together artists at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech,
with the ambition of positioning the city as a key hub for live comedy.
The opening night was marked by a sold-out Arabophone gala directed by Eko,
blending tradition, satire, and social references inspired by Marrakech and Jemaa el-Fna.
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Among the highlights, the appearance of Malik Bentalha was warmly welcomed by the audience.
The Franco-Moroccan comedian shared several sequences with Eko, built around Moroccan cultural references and popular local codes.
According to organizers, the opening night exceeded expectations, with a full house and tickets sold out weeks in advance.
For Karim Debbouze, producer and co-founder of the festival alongside Malik Bentalha,
this successful launch marks an important step toward establishing a long-term cultural event.
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The festival’s international dimension was further confirmed on Friday with the Francophone gala led by Malik Bentalha,
who delivered an interactive and improvisational set driven by audience engagement and self-deprecating humour.
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One thing is clear: Marrakech is emerging as a serious new stage for the future of stand-up comedy.
