Hassan II Centre for International Encounters – Asilah

## A forum for international cultural dialogue in Asilah The **Hassan II Centre for International Encounters** is one of **Asilah's** principal cultural institutions. Located in the historic town, it hosts conferences, intellectual debate, literary gatherings and art exhibitions. The venue is closely linked to the **Assilah Forum Foundation** and the **International Cultural Moussem**, which connects artists, writers, scholars and policymakers from different regions of the world. ## Dialogue, research and visual art The centre combines conference activity with exhibitions. Its **Mohamed Benaïssa Fine Arts Gallery** presents changing displays, including work developed during the Moussem. Events address culture, identity, geopolitics and international cooperation alongside painting and other artistic disciplines, reinforcing Asilah's identity as a place for cultural exchange beyond its tourism season. ## The 47th International Cultural Moussem in 2026 The **summer session, 28 June–5 July 2026**, included mural-painting workshops, exhibitions and conversations on Asilah's visual identity. The **autumn session runs 2–18 October 2026**, with talks on **Africa's energy and water challenges** (2–3 October), an homage to **Toni Maraini** (5–6 October) and discussions on **the Arab world towards 2030** (10–11 October). Some activities continue through 18 October; check the individual venue and access requirements for each programme item. ## Practical information - **Location:** historic medina of Asilah, Morocco. - **Directory-listed telephone:** +212 539 41 70 65. - **Programme:** Assilah Forum Foundation announcements and official festival communications. - **Admission:** varies by conference, exhibition and other activity. - **Important distinction:** this centre in Asilah is separate from the MAC.A House of Contemporary Art at Briech. ## Related events on Culturama Explore the [2026 summer Moussem archive](/agenda/moussem-assilah-session-estivale-2026-cf50d3ae-7219-4186-8400-29c9565870b0), the [Africa energy and water symposium](/agenda/assilah-energie-eau-afrique-octobre-2026-36e83e7e-a6d6-4ee9-b9fb-d38e7af2b793), the [Toni Maraini tribute](/agenda/assilah-hommage-toni-maraini-2026-07fceb1f-972d-4e3d-8fcb-9388097b5547) and [the Arab world towards 2030 debate](/agenda/assilah-monde-arabe-horizon-2030-2026-c486f711-c677-457b-959c-eea189587da3). Another destination for contemporary art nearby is the [MAC.A House of Contemporary Art](/institutions/maison-art-contemporain-maca-asilah). **Sources:** [Morocco's official portal, 2026 autumn programme](https://www.maroc.ma/fr/actualites/la-session-dautomne-du-moussem-culturel-dasilah-se-tiendra-du-2-au-18-octobre), [Assilah Forum Foundation](https://www.assilah.net/) and [Médias24](https://medias24.com/2024/03/09/assilah-entre-pirates-du-passe-et-artistes-daujourdhui/).