Moroccan Embassy in Vietnam spreads culture and humanitarian values ​​at the 2024 International Food Festival

Participating in the 2024 International Food Festival (December 7-8) in Hanoi, the Embassy of Morocco in Vietnam promises to bring a unique culinary space, introducing the traditional flavors of the North African country, thereby promoting cultural heritage and contributing to promoting international solidarity, understanding and friendship.

Food stall of the Embassy of Morocco in Vietnam at the International Food Festival 2023. (Source: Embassy of Morocco in Vietnam)

Ahead of the 2024 International Food Festival, Moroccan Ambassador to Vietnam Jamale Chouaibi shared with World and Vietnam News about the preparation process as well as expectations for the journey of spreading the culture behind the unique dishes of his homeland.

With the spirit of honoring the culinary arts of countries, connecting domestic and international friends of the International Food Festival 2024, participating in this year's event, what contributions does the Embassy of Morocco in Vietnam expect to make, sir?

The Embassy of Morocco in Vietnam is extremely honored to continue to accompany the International Food Festival 2024, an event with strong cultural and charitable significance organized by the Service Department of the Diplomatic Corps, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.

Through this program, the Embassy affirms its mark in cultural diplomacy activities, contributing to promoting mutual understanding and honoring the unique identity of Moroccan heritage.

Above all, the International Food Festival is also a special occasion for the Embassy to introduce to the Vietnamese public and international friends the unique cuisine of Morocco - a place where Arab, Amazigh, African and Mediterranean cultures intersect. We wish to bring dishes with traditional flavors, creating an attractive culinary journey.

In addition to the cultural aspect, this year's event also spreads humanitarian values ​​as all profits will be used to support community welfare projects. Through this, the Moroccan Embassy not only affirms the spirit of mutual love - a core value in its culture - but also contributes to the overall success, towards the meaningful goals of the 2024 International Food Festival.

Could you tell us more about the advantages and difficulties in the preparation process to bring Moroccan cuisine closer to the Vietnamese people?

In the preparation journey for the 2024 International Food Festival, we face many challenges to recreate the authenticity and quintessence of our homeland's cuisine and bring memorable experiences to our Vietnamese friends.

One of the major challenges is the communal nature of Moroccan cuisine. Dishes such as tagine or couscous are traditionally shared with families or groups of friends. Serving them in small portions or packaged for takeaway reduces the traditional feel, which in turn affects the overall experience for diners.

In addition, Moroccan dishes require elaborate presentation, often served on large plates, and must be served at the correct temperature to retain their full flavor. Given the limited space available, the Embassy had difficulty meeting traditional service standards, requiring flexible adjustments.

Not stopping there, the source of ingredients also really gives us a “headache”. Many typical ingredients of Moroccan cuisine are not easy to find in the Vietnamese market, making it difficult to preserve the original flavor.

However, with a creative and determined spirit, the Embassy of Morocco is committed to bringing authentic dishes of the homeland, while introducing the richness and heritage of Moroccan cuisine to the Vietnamese public in the most complete way.

Could the 2024 International Food Festival be seen as a cultural bridge that contributes to strengthening friendly relations between countries, Ambassador?

We believe that the 2024 International Food Festival in Hanoi is not only a place to gather the world's culinary quintessence but also a cultural bridge, connecting friendly relations between countries. Through each dish, from traditional flavors to modern creations, the event contributes to honoring harmony and strong diplomatic connections.

Food is an integral part of every country’s identity, so the Festival is a great opportunity for people to explore each other’s cultures and traditions. Experiencing unique dishes at the event not only bridges cultural gaps but also eliminates prejudices and promotes appreciation for diverse differences.

In addition to enjoying the cuisine, the program also creates a friendly space for connecting people. Vietnamese representatives and international friends, especially from embassies, have the opportunity to exchange, build sustainable cooperative relationships and strengthen friendships. This is a vivid demonstration of the role of culture and cuisine in promoting global peace and understanding./.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dai-su-quan-morocco-tai-viet-nam-lan-toa-tinh-than-van-hoa-va-nhan-ai-tai-lien-hoan-am-thuc-quoc-te-2024-296025.html