Al Houria Cultural Complex, Fez

A major cultural venue in modern Fez

Al Houria Municipal Cultural Complex is one of Fez’s most important pieces of public cultural infrastructure. Opened in spring 2005 after a lengthy construction process, it was conceived as a multidisciplinary venue for theatre, cinema, music, exhibitions, literary encounters and community-led cultural programmes. Its Arabic name is المركب الثقافي الحرية.

The complex stands in the Agdal area of the modern city, close to Avenue Palestine, Rue Mohamed El Kaghat, the main railway station, Boulevard Hassan II and Place Florence. The site covers roughly one and a half hectares, including the main building, courtyards, gardens, access areas and parking.

Theatre, media library and exhibition galleries

When it opened, Al Houria brought several cultural functions together in one municipal venue. It includes a theatre of approximately 400 seats, a library and media library, several exhibition areas and spaces for meetings and workshops. Its monumental exterior is organised around broad stairways and terraces, while an open-air forum with a small arena was designed for public gatherings and evening programmes.

This combination allowed the complex to host a stage production, an exhibition and an educational activity within the same cultural campus. In a city internationally known for its medina and historic heritage, Al Houria provided a modern platform for contemporary artistic production in the Ville Nouvelle.

A central stage in Fez’s cultural life

During its active years, the complex hosted theatre, concerts, visual-art exhibitions, film screenings, comedy festivals, children’s programmes, conferences and international cultural exchanges. It worked with local associations, theatre companies, public institutions and the Institut Français de Fès.

Documented programmes include photography exhibitions, encounters with Moroccan filmmakers, children’s theatre festivals, the Fez National Comedy Festival, contemporary theatre productions and a Fez–Kyoto cultural exchange. A Japanese film was also screened at the complex during an official diplomatic visit in 2018.

Artists and cultural organisers have repeatedly described Al Houria as difficult to replace. Its auditorium, stage-to-audience relationship, galleries and overall capacity enabled Fez to receive touring productions and larger festivals that smaller neighbourhood venues could not accommodate.

Closed during a long-delayed renovation

The complex is not currently open to the public. It has remained closed since the early 2020s for a renovation project affected by repeated delays, interrupted works and changes in technical studies. The closure has prompted petitions, public campaigns and questions within the municipal council, as Fez-based artists and organisations call for the return of a venue they consider essential.

Reports published in 2024 and 2025 still described a closed and deteriorating building without regular programming. In April 2026, no confirmed reopening date had yet been announced. The Municipality of Fez did issue public tenders in May and July 2026 for technical and audiovisual equipment, suggesting that the equipping phase was still progressing. These contracts, however, should not be treated as proof that the complex has reopened.

Practical information

Visitors should not rely on generic opening hours shown by some map directories. Check for a dated municipal announcement before travelling or planning an event at the complex.

While Al Houria remains unavailable, explore the Institut Français de Fès, Les Étoiles de la Médina, current events in Fez and the city’s other cultural places.