The citizens of Sefrou, located in central Morocco, and its surroundings enjoyed a spectacular show, on Saturday, featuring Miss Cherry and her runners-up, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Sefrou’s Cherry Festival.
The parade of vehicles of the winner of Miss Cherrygirl, Bouchra Abejja from Sefrou, and her two runners-up, Ghita Berji from Fez and Zinab Aouine from Imouzzer Kandar, proceeded through the streets and avenues of the city.
The ceremony, eagerly awaited by the public, featured artistic scenes representing the traditional folklore of Sefrou and its environs.
The Cherry Festival, held in partnership with local elected councils, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has classified it as an intangible heritage,” Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, told the press.
Bensaid noted that the city of Sefrou has a special place in terms of history and heritage. “The city has, throughout its history, been a symbol of coexistence,” he added.
This year’s edition included the opening of an exhibition area featuring various fairs, including a regional publishing and book fair, a cherry production and processing fair, and a social and solidarity economy fair.
Held annually since 1920, the festival is a testament to the tolerance and coexistence of the people of Sefrou, where the three monotheistic religions coexisted and whose members came together to elect Miss Cherry.
The festivities, which last several days, are widely celebrated by the local population and promote the revitalization of the local economy, which is closely linked to the intangible heritage of Sefrou and the cultural heritage of the region, including crafts and local products.