Ramadan is a time of reflection, generosity, and community spirit, where people come together to embrace core values of kindness and support for those in need. In Tangier, thousands of children and families struggle with basic necessities, and many of them belong to our direct community of Live Room members and their families.

In response, Live Room, through its Solidarity Club, joined forces with local collectives Yed F’Lyed and Tanger Lumière to organize two impactful initiatives aimed at alleviating hardship and spreading joy during this sacred month.

The first initiative focused on providing essential food baskets to over 50 underprivileged families, primarily from the neighborhoods surrounding LABO. These baskets, filled with staple goods, helped ensure that families had access to nutritious meals throughout Ramadan.

The second initiative saw the return of Jootia Fabor on Thursday the 26th, an event now in its second consecutive year, designed to bring smiles to disadvantaged children by offering them new clothes for the Eid celebration. In preparation for the event, our Solidarity Club launched a donation drive at the beginning of Ramadan, collecting clothes, accessories, and monetary contributions from generous community members.

Jootia Fabor transforms the traditional concept of a market into an inclusive space where anyone in need can pick out an entire Eid outfit—for free. More than just a charitable event, it fosters a sense of dignity and belonging, ensuring that every child can celebrate Eid with joy and confidence.

Beyond its direct impact, these initiatives also serve as an opportunity for new volunteers to engage in social work, deepen their connection with their community, and experience the true spirit of solidarity. By bringing people together for a shared cause, Live Room continues to promote values of generosity, empathy, and mutual support—making Ramadan not just a time of fasting, but a celebration of humanity.

The Sadaqah – Friendship project is a dynamic, community-driven arts initiative that explores and celebrates the universal theme of friendship through storytelling, dance, music, and film. This initiative brings together a group of young performing artists who will embark on an immersive 40-day creative journey. This work-in-progress project is led by renowned Irish artist Ki McBride while the residency is directed by Omar Mok’s, the artistic director of Live Room Project and is mainly taking place in LABO center – Tangier.

Together, they will guide participants through a process that encourages self-expression, artistic exploration, and deeper interpersonal connections. Drawing from the rich socio-cultural programs of Live Room’s Artistic Clubs, the project provides a platform where young performers will blend movement, music, and visual storytelling to craft a unique artistic experience.

At the heart of this initiative, is the creation of two powerful artistic works: a live theatrical performance and a documentary film. The performance will explore the complexities of friendship through an engaging narrative that incorporates acting, dance, and music. The documentary will offer an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, capturing the personal and cultural significance of friendship from the perspective of the participants. Through a collaborative and open-ended approach, the project will focus on three essential themes:

• Connections & Making Friends: Exploring how friendships begin and what draws people together.
• Conflict: Addressing the challenges that friendships face, including misunderstandings and disagreements.
• Reunion & Acceptance: Showcasing the power of reconciliation, empathy, and the importance of overcoming differences.

Beyond the creative aspect, Sadaqah – Friendship is a project that aims to foster social and cultural exchange, strengthening the bonds between Tangier, Morocco, and Waterford, Ireland and Europe in General. By engaging local and international artists, the initiative builds bridges between different artistic disciplines and communities, promoting long-term collaboration and cross-cultural understanding. The project is designed to empower young creatives, providing them with a platform to express themselves while learning from experienced mentors in the fields of performing arts.

This project is not just about creating art—it is about building connections, sparking dialogue, and strengthening the social fabric of the community. By delving into the topic of friendship, Sadaqah encourages participants and audiences to reflect on the nature of human relationships, the challenges of maintaining connections, and the power of reconciliation and understanding. Through this initiative, young artists will develop skills in collaboration, creative expression, and performance, all while contributing to a larger conversation on the significance of friendship in society.

By Ilias Temsamani.

JAPOREA Club Brings China to LABO with “Spirit of China” Event

On February 8, 2025, the JAPOREA Club hosted the “Spirit of China” event at the LABO center of Live Room, attracting over 80 participants of all ages. The event aimed to bring people closer together while introducing them to the richness of Chinese culture. Attendee feedback was largely positive, though some challenges related to organization and venue capacity were noted—important points to improve for future editions.

The event featured a theater performance and a dance show, alongside an array of Chinese food, calligraphy workshops, and social games designed to entertain and educate. The goal was to build cultural bridges, foster social connections, explore new flavors, and introduce attendees to the Chinese language, all while providing exposure to artistic performances and personal growth opportunities.

Looking ahead to March, in addition to running the board and social games section at the “Aji Njibo S7or” Game Room events, JAPOREA will host a cosplay workshop on March 16, open to all and completely free. Stay tuned for more updates!

Live Room actively supports human rights by creating opportunities for individuals to grow, learn, and contribute to their communities. As an association, we provide a platform for self-development and community engagement through its programs and initiatives. 

Human Rights and Children’s Programs

Education and creative expression are basic human rights, and Live Room is committed to ensuring that every child has the chance to develop their skills and discover their passions, especially those with less opportunities. Through our engaging programs, children are empowered to explore and unlock their full potential:

• Robotics: Our hands-on robotics workshops introduce kids to logical thinking, group work and problem-solving, preparing them for a future where technology is key.
• Painting and Crafts: Art classes at Live Room inspire creativity and self-expression, giving children a safe space to build confidence and share their unique perspectives.
• Theater: Our theater programs help children improve their soft skills and develop self-assurance, all while exploring important social themes through performance.
• Rhythm: Our Rhythm (Batucada, Chaabi, Percussion) workshops represent a vibrant environment for the most active and energetic kids to transform their collective force into beats.

The Live Room Solidarity Club: Making a Difference

The Solidarity Club, a core part of our association, is all about giving back to the community. Through our initiatives, we aim to support those who need it most, promoting social good, charity work and making a tangible impact by:

• Providing Essential Resources: we run campaigns to distribute food, clothing, and other necessities to those in vulnerable situations.
• Environmental actions: to protect the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment by organizing field awareness events.
• Human Rights Awareness: Through workshops and community campaigns, we work to raise engagement about fundamental human rights and foster a sense of inclusion and respect.

A Space for Growth, A Community for Change

At the heart of Live Room is a commitment to human dignity, equal opportunities, and the power of community. Our mission is to create spaces where creativity and knowledge flourish, while also addressing the social needs of our communities through the Solidarity Club, and exploring the societal challenges through our artistic and cultural production. In doing so, we empower individuals to shape better, brighter futures because as we say here: Help is Life!

Live Room launched this year six social and artistic clubs, each designed to foster profecssional growth and personal development through targeted activities. These clubs reflect Live Rhioom’s commitment to skill-building, cultural awareness, and structured engagement, offering members purposeful opportunities aligned with their interests but also beneficiating the community from it. With distinct focuses spanning social impact, cultural appreciation, performing arts, and media production, each club operates under clear objectives to promote learning and development.

Also, the Live Room clubs aim to prepare the best volunteers and hosting platform for the youth exchange programs that we have with the EU such as Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps.

SOLIDARITY Club

The Solidarity Club is dedicated to mobilize volunteer resources and facilitating community service initiatives. Members of this club will engage in organized efforts to support individuals and groups in need, promoting values of social responsibility and civic duty. This club offers a platform for members interested in public service to work collaboratively on impactful projects that contribute positively to society.

JAPOREA Club

The Japorea Club is focused on fostering an understanding and appreciation of Japanese and Korean cultures. This club serves as a hub for individuals interested in East Asian cultural elements such as anime, manga, K-culture, and other significant cultural exports. Members can expect a structured exploration of these cultural domains through workshops, events, discussions, and informational sessions that provide a deeper understanding of the nuances within these popular and influential cultures.

DANCE Club

With a comprehensive focus on diverse dance styles, the Dance Club is designed for members who wish to refine their skills in various forms of dance, including hip-hop, contemporary, and other genres. This club emphasizes the technical and creative aspects of dance as a discipline, providing workshops, practice sessions, and performance opportunities to support skill advancement and artistic expression within a structured framework.

NWEETA CHOIR Club

The Choir Club offers a formal setting for individuals with an interest in vocal performance and music in general, with a focus on developing skills in harmony, group singing, and vocal techniques. Members will participate in choir sessions, learning harmony structures and ensemble techniques that contribute to a cohesive sound. The club’s activities are designed to facilitate technical vocal improvement and teamwork among singers, establishing a strong foundation in choral music with the goal to structure a new professional choral group in the region.

THEATER Club

The Theater Club provides a dedicated environment for members interested in theatrical arts, from acting techniques to script analysis. This club focuses on enhancing members’ abilities in live performance, offering a range of activities including workshops on acting fundamentals, stage presence, and interpretation. Members can expect a structured approach to theatrical education, fostering skill development and an understanding of various dramatic forms and performance methodologies and are called to produce performing art creations for local and regional performances.

CINELAB Club

Cinelab Club is aimed at those with an interest in film production, cinema analysis, and media critique. Members are introduced to the foundational principles of filmmaking, including storytelling, cinematography, and editing techniques. With a focus on practical skill-building, Cinelab Club offers workshops, film screenings, debates, and collaborative projects that encourage an in-depth understanding of film as both an art form and a medium for communication. It also has a branch for film production focusing on social cinema.

Seeking the goal of “Boosting women’s participation in the socio-cultural life” through meaningful dialogue and engagement, we have always succeeded through our methods, creations and communication to keep the balance equal between our female and male users. We understood from the launch of the Live Room Project that the absence of women in socio-cultural life represents a great loss for society, and so we invested in several actions:

• BlaBla+ Interactive series: is a live TV show, presented from 2019 to 2024, that explores key gender themes through a variety of perspectives, combining both humor and serious analysis. Each episode features diverse viewpoints, including top expert speakers, public opinion polls, street interviews, and trending online discussions. In the first nine episodes, we treated women’s issues like women’s liberty, harassment, sex ed, positive masculinity, bullying, divorce & marriage, etc. And had many renamed guests like Khadija Tnana, Doc Samad, Zineb Fassiki, Soufian Hennani, Princesa Tanja, etc. 
• In 2022, we organized a Rap Competition in hybrid format on/offline for gender equality baptized #Noskatrapchallenge (no silence rap challenge), which saw the participation of over 100 young rappers from northern Morocco. This project was part of the collaboration with the Union of Feminist Action, FLDF, ATED, AIDA and financed by the International Spanish Cooperation for Development aiming to raise awareness and foster dialogue on gender issues through creative expression. Later, after the end of the competition that had its final live in LABO studios with the presence of famous local rappers and where the young Merry was awarded winner of the competition, we have produced two singles for the best three finalists treating the same theme.   
• Organization of Mra Festival with AIDA, UAF and Spanish Embassy in 2023. First big manifestation 100% addressed to women in Tangier. The festival was organized over three days where we offered, besides organizational and communication support, a stand with our Otaku products, a performing arts show mixing urban and contemporary theater and dance to discuss young women’s oppression, a graffiti workshop and a mural painting for the same  cause.

In alignment with its commitment to human rights goals, Live Room has actively collaborated with various organizations to support disadvantaged children and youth, whether it is through its own LABO’s socio cultural activities, or through collaborating in other international projects like:

• Live Room signed in 2021 an agreement with Padre Lerchundi Center for collaboration in helping disadvantaged children by organizing several actions for the benefit of young people and children from adjacent downtown and old town neighborhoods for educational support, social assistance, educational outings, collaborative events. 

Over 100 kids and youths  from 8 to 14 years old have benefited every year from artistic, cultural and educational activities 

• Collaboration with ATIL association & AIDA ONG for the EU project « Promote the inclusion of minors and young people with functional diversity in schools and public centers in the province of Tetouan », Live Room animated and assisted their focus work sessions and produced two awareness videos, two video-resumes of the actions and one film documentary. Over twenty people with disabilities participated in this project. 
• In collaboration with Bayti Association, AIDA Association and the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration DGAPR for the EU project  « Together for child-friendly justice », Live Room animated in the prison of Ben Sliman for minors a serie of workshops for 80 participants in Rap, Graffiti and Dance and produced  video courses for a virtual school for young prisoners. The project took place from October 2023 to April 2024.

In alignment with its commitment to human rights goals, Live Room has actively collaborated with various organizations to support disadvantaged children and youth, whether it is through its own LABO’s socio cultural activities, or through collaborating in other international projects like:

• Artistic Productions: As a result of the long time interacting with youths from the region of northern Morocco, whom the majority is considering immigration as a dream for better life, we invested in the integration of this topic in our artistic creations, community events and artistic productions like: Only 14 (contemporary dance creation co-produced with GenerationZ, Institut Français Maroc et Dubai Culture and awarded in Detour Festival in Belgium as best young performance); Evasion (Contemporary theater creation co-produced with Institut Français Maroc in 2023); 14 Kilo (Short film co-produced with Seefar and AIDA in 2024).
• As part of our ongoing efforts to expand Live Room’s presence across Europe specifically to treat immigration topics efficiently, several strategic visits of our team were made in 2023 to Spain to engage with local contacts and encourage collaboration in broadening the scope of the project there. As a result of these efforts, a team was created in Barcelona to create a delegation of our ONG there which will serve as a bridge for relations between Africa and Europe focused on Immigration topics. Our team in Barcelona has already participated in two actions with other partners of the EU project Racif (AIDA ONG, La Xixa Teatre) by animating interactive workshops with immigrants.  
• Visit of Ottawa University master students and PHD researchers in May 2024 to exchange on immigration topics. During this conference which took place in our LABO center, our founders exposed the situation experienced with youths in the region where immigration appears as the first solution for their social and moral issue, and discussed with the present teachers and students the difficulties encountered and possible solutions.

Live Room is a community change project focusing on involving youth in the development of their communities through social and cultural volunteering actions. 

During the past two years, we have engaged in several initiatives that foster cross-cultural learning and development. Here are the most highlighted ones:

• Live Room Project was awarded a Quality Label for the European Solidarity Corps program as a supporting organization in May 2024. We are also seeking to receive the Q-Label for hosting roles and Erasmus+ program in 2025. With this project Live Room will be playing a major role in exchanging individual and group volunteering between Tangier and Europe. 
• Agreement with the University of Burgos – Spain through their project: “La Estacion de Ciencia y Tecnología” which is one of the biggest creative hubs in Spain dedicated to promoting science and technology for youths.  Through this agreement, we held several exchanges between the two teams to share knowledge and experience. An annual program for Art & Technology was launched in Tangier in our LABO center and 12 children will benefit every year freely from workshops and activities mixing art and technology. We have also succeeded in engaging the Robotics and Aeronautics Club of the University of Tangier in this program. 
• Live Room is hosting every year visits from international cultural institutions, universities and colleges seeking insights into our business model, which combines youth engagement, art production, and social work.We also offer them artistic activities and guided visits into the city of Tangier. These visits frequently include open conferences and debates on cultural, social and scientific topics, further supporting youth exchange, community engagement and knowledge sharing. Last partners: Université de la Sorbonne (France), Colegio Claret (Spain), University of Ottawa (Canada), Semester At Sea (International College Cruiser), University of Deusto and Autonom University of Madrid (Spain).

The 8th edition of the Urban Art Week Festival of Tangier was a major success, bringing together a wide range of talented artists from Morocco and around the world. The festival, held over the course of a week, was designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and community engagement. Each day featured a carefully curated set of activities, providing a platform for both established and emerging artists to showcase their skills and connect with their peers.

The festival’s lineup included a series of workshops on various art forms such as graffiti, collage, spoken words, and painting. These workshops were well-attended by the youth public and provided valuable hands-on learning experiences for participants. Open mic sessions, dance shots, cyphers and rap concerts further enriched the event, offering artists a space to perform and engage with live audiences. The festival’s centerpiece was the art exhibition, which drew significant attention from attendees. The Neon Urban Collection were displayed in a way that maximized impact, captivating visitors as soon as they entered the venue.

 

In addition to the indoor activities, graffiti artists took to the streets, transforming a previously neglected area into a vibrant, colorful space. This initiative not only improved the visual landscape of the street but also uplifted the community’s perception of the area. The street, previously known for its poor reputation, now stands as a testament to the power of art in revitalizing public spaces.

A key component of the festival’s success was the involvement of a dedicated group of young volunteers. Their commitment and hard work were instrumental in ensuring that the festival ran smoothly. Their role in coordinating activities, managing logistics, and supporting artists contributed significantly to the overall success of the event.

Urban Art Week 8 was not just a platform for artists; it also served as an important space for socializing and networking. Artists, volunteers, and attendees had the opportunity to connect, share ideas, and build lasting relationships. This aspect of the festival helped foster a sense of community and collaboration, making it more than just an art event.

The festival concluded with a Hawaiian-themed closing party, which provided a fun and relaxed atmosphere for participants to unwind and celebrate the week’s achievements. The energy and engagement throughout the event were consistently high, contributing to a successful conclusion.

Urban Art Week Fest 8 not only showcased artistic talent but also demonstrated the power of community-driven initiatives in creating positive social and cultural change.

 

By Otman Hamdani.