Entertainment Industry in Morocco Struggles as COVID-19 Restrictions Persist

Shows, festive events are still prohibited in Morocco and the players in this sector are paying a heavy price, reports Le360. They have been unemployed for more than 8 months and without any government assistance. For Karim Tadlaoui, artist, singer and musician, this halt in activities due to the health crisis of the coronavirus has "caused a lot of harm and problems" to the point of leading some colleagues to consider changing careers. The artist has therefore called on the competent authorities to think in order to find a sustainable solution to support the players in this sector. "In mentalities, we cannot compare an artist, a musician to a doctor, a lawyer or an architect, he is always devalued, this does not exist in any country," he hammered.

According to Karim Tadlaoui, Shehrazade, violinist, music teacher, artists and musicians in particular suffer from a lack of recognition. 9 months ago, this young woman was participating in several festive events and teaching music in schools. She provides for the needs of her family thanks to these activities. Covid-19 decided otherwise. According to her, music schools no longer hire and she now finds herself without money. "In Morocco, the artist has no value, he is always devalued, whereas we create joy," she lamented.

Amine, conductor and artistic director of one of the largest shows on the Casablanca corniche, says that nearly 3,000 artists and musicians employed by the nightlife establishments of Aïn Diab are now unemployed. "Our only livelihood is our job, entertainment in restaurants in nightlife establishments, parties... Our sector is completely at a standstill. Those who had saved a little money are using it, and those who had no savings have really suffered. We are all going through a very difficult financial situation (...), he specified.

This precarious situation has allowed some of them to belatedly understand the need to federate their efforts. "What needs to change is that we must federate ourselves. We must find a solution so that the existing unions can come together into one, to get out of the informal sector. Anarchy, lack of structures and informality have worked against us," regrets the artist and musician Bouchaib Lhrizzi.