Djebli Club

A rural cultural space rooted in Mokrisset

Djebli Club is a participatory hostel, artist residency, creative space and ideas laboratory based in Mokrisset, in Ouezzane Province. Founded in August 2015, the project was developed around a clear purpose: to use culture, education and responsible tourism as tools for local development in a rural area far from Morocco’s main cultural circuits.

The venue is therefore more than a place to stay. It was conceived as a shared environment where artists, volunteers, travellers and local residents can meet, exchange knowledge, work, read, create and take part in collective initiatives.

Ecological building shaped by collective effort

The architecture is part of Djebli Club’s cultural identity. The site was developed with natural materials, recycled elements and techniques inspired by local building traditions. Earth, wood and reused materials helped create spaces that sit naturally within Mokrisset’s mountain landscape.

Its early construction was also participatory. Volunteers from different Moroccan cities and young people from the village contributed to the building process. Rather than following the model of a conventional tourism facility, Djebli Club grew gradually through available resources, community involvement and shared labour.

An artist residency in the Jbala region

Djebli Club has hosted artists and projects spanning music, visual arts, theatre, photography, dance, writing and cultural education. Working areas and a music room provide artists with space to rehearse, experiment and engage with the local community.

The cultural heritage of the Jbala region is central to several initiatives. Projects have explored ways to document, transmit and reinterpret local traditions, including Aïta Jabalia. Through the Chetl’Art programme, young artists and musicians from the area met during a creative residency focused on this musical heritage, connecting contemporary practices with local memory.

Djebli Camp, Chetl’Art and Mountain Live Session

Over the years, the venue has developed several programme formats. Djebli Camp combined workshops, communal living, artistic activity and exploration of the surrounding territory. Chetl’Art supported residencies and creative projects connected to the cultures of northern Morocco.

Mountain Live Session was designed to support emerging music groups from Morocco or based in the country. Selected artists joined a multi-day residency with technical and artistic guidance, rehearsal time, a public performance and the production of a promotional video to help their work reach wider audiences.

Together, these programmes reflect the club’s wider role: providing artists with time, space and working conditions while allowing cultural production to circulate beyond Morocco’s major cities.

Culture as a tool for local development

Djebli Club connects artistic creation with popular education and social action. Workshops for young people in Mokrisset and the surrounding area have addressed public speaking, music, theatre, photography, career guidance, entrepreneurship, job searching, school dropout and school violence.

The official website states that more than 500 activities and solidarity actions have been organised since 2015. The underlying idea is that culture can strengthen confidence, expression, practical skills and openness, while creating meaningful relationships between visitors and the local population.

The venue also contributed to the launch of “Mokrisset 2030, Village of Arts and Culture”, a locally developed vision involving civil society, public representatives and residents, with the aim of positioning the commune as a territory for artistic creation, cultural tourism and sustainable development.

A place of hospitality and exchange

The participatory hostel connects hospitality with contribution and knowledge sharing. Djebli Club includes accommodation and social areas, a café, a library and facilities for artistic practice. Residencies, visits and activities may follow different schedules, so contacting the venue before travelling is recommended.

Djebli Club holds a distinctive place among cultural venues in Morocco, linking artist residency, rural hospitality, ecological construction, education and territorial development. Explore cultural events around Mokrisset and current cultural opportunities connected to residencies and partner organisations.

Practical information

• Type: artist residency, rural cultural space and participatory hostel
• Location: Mokrisset, Ouezzane Province, Morocco
• Official website: djebliclub.ma
• Phone: +212 609 577 546
• Email: [email protected]
• Access and bookings: advance confirmation with the venue is recommended