Rabat (AFP)
King Mohammed VI of Morocco, who turns 56 on August 21, has decided "not to organize, from this year, the official ceremony" celebrating its anniversary, said Tuesday a statement from the Palace.
The communiqué did not specify the reasons for this decision.
The Moroccan calendar is punctuated by official festivals, marking historical dates and appointments related to the monarchical life, usually punctuated by large receptions, speeches and royal graces.
The celebration of the royal anniversary traditionally coincides with the "Youth Festival". During the reign of Hassan II, this Youth Festival was celebrated on the birthday of the father of the current ruler on July 8th.
For the last Feast of the Throne, which marked on 30 and 31 July the 20 years of Mohammed VI's reign, the Palace called on Moroccans to commemorate "normal, without further celebration".
This holiday culminated on July 31 with the highly ceremonial ritual of allegiance that sees hundreds of dignitaries, elected officials and senior officials of the Ministry of Interior each year bow to their sovereign.
In 2018, the celebrations of the Youth Day coincided with the religious holiday of Aid Al Adha.
For his 54th birthday, in 2017, the king had organized a reception in the city of M'diq (north) in the presence of a crowd of representatives of the political world, diplomatic and military.
© 2019 AFP