Embassy of Morocco will spread cultural and humanitarian spirit at Int'l Food Festival 2024: Moroccan Ambassador

The culinary booth of The Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Vietnam at the International Food Festival 2023. (Photo: The Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Vietnam)

Ahead of the festival, H.E. Mr. Jamale Chouaibi, Ambassador of His Majesty The King of Morocco to Vietnam, shared with The World and Vietnam Report insights into the preparation process and his aspirations for spreading Moroccan culture through its distinctive cuisine.

In the spirit of celebrating the culinary arts of various nations and fostering connections among domestic and international friends, how does the Embassy hope to contribute to the overall success of this year’s International Food Festival?

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Vietnam has always been committed to participating in significant cultural and social welfare events. It is honored to take part once again in this year’s International Food Festival, an event of great cultural and charitable importance, especially as it is organized under the special patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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This participation also reflects the Embassy’s dedication to supporting diplomatic and cultural efforts that promote mutual understanding and highlight the richness and diversity of Moroccan cultural heritage.

The festival offers a unique opportunity to introduce both Vietnamese and international audiences to Moroccan cuisine, which embodies a long history of cultural interaction between Arab, Amazigh, African, and Mediterranean influences. Through this event, the Embassy aims to present authentic Moroccan flavors allowing visitors to the Moroccan booth to enjoy a distinctive culinary experience.

Beyond the cultural aspect, the festival also has a noble charitable purpose, as its proceeds are dedicated to supporting community benevolent projects. Therefore, the Embassy’s participation also expresses Morocco’s values of social compassion, which are deeply rooted in its culture.

The Moroccan Embassy looks forward to contributing to the success of the festival and achieving its meaningful objectives.

Could you share more about the advantages and challenges encountered during the preparation process to bring your homeland's cuisine closer to the Vietnamese people?

During the preparations for the International Food Festival, the Embassy faced several challenges in presenting Moroccan cuisine in a way that reflects its authenticity and deep-rooted traditions.

Moroccan cuisine is known for its communal dishes, such as Tagine and Couscous, which are traditionally shared among family and friends around a single table. This communal nature makes it difficult to serve these dishes in

individual portions or in takeaway containers, which may affect the experience of tasting them in their original form.

Additionally, Moroccan dishes require specific serving methods, such as being presented on wide plates and served at precise temperatures to maintain their quality and flavor. This can be challenging given the limited space allocated to the Embassy’s booth, which makes it difficult to prepare and serve the dishes in accordance with traditional Moroccan culinary protocols.

The challenge of ingredient authenticity presents another obstacle in recreating genuine Moroccan culinary experiences. The local market lacks essential ingredients critical to traditional Moroccan cuisine, making it difficult to source the authentic components necessary for preparing genuine Moroccan dishes.

Despite these challenges, the Embassy is committed to providing a unique and memorable experience that reflects the essence of Moroccan cuisine while preserving the authenticity and heritage of its culinary traditions.

Could the 2024 International Food Festival be considered a cultural bridge that helps strengthen the bonds of friendship between nations?

The 2024 International Food Festival in Hanoi serves as a powerful cultural bridge, fostering stronger ties and friendly relations between nations. This type of event, which brings people from many cultures together, helps to bridge cultural gaps and build mutual understanding.

We believe that food is an important component of every nation’s identity, and the festival offers an excellent opportunity to sample traditional dishes from various nations. People can learn about diverse countries’ cultures and traditions by sampling these foods, which helps to break preconceptions and promote appreciation for cultural differences.

Such gatherings also provide casual settings where people can meet and connect with each other, promoting human connection. Vietnamese participants and representatives from different embassies can build strong relationships and foster friendships.

Thank you, Ambassador!

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