Ahmed Ben Yessef, Honored by Institutions and Friends in “Tetouan, my cradle. Seville, my city”

On behalf of the Fundación Mezquita de Sevilla, we are filled with immense pride to hold the retrospective exhibition, “Tetuán, mi cuna. Seville, my city,” by our dear friend and dear member of our community, Ahmed Ben Yessef. The inauguration, held yesterday at the Province House, was a truly significant event, and we were honoured to have our President and Vice-President present to show our support for Ahmed and his remarkable achievements.

Ahmed Ben Yessef is more than an artist; It is a testament to the powerful fusion of cultures that enriches our society. As Javier Fernández, President of the Seville Provincial Council, so eloquently put it, Ahmed is “the example of the perfect fusion,” a “Sevillian Tetuani or a Tetuani Sevillian” who embodies the values and ways of life shared between Tetouan and Seville. His art, as demonstrated in this magnificent exhibition, is a universal language that transcends borders and speaks to the very essence of human connection.

The importance of art in our collective consciousness cannot be underestimated. It is a powerful tool for harmony and mutual understanding, a sentiment beautifully seconded by Karima Benyaich, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Spain, who described this exhibition as the embodiment of “a beautiful miscegenation” and a “key to peace and to continue to understand each other better, with a language that is universal.”

The inauguration was a truly distinguished meeting, honoured by the presence of Javier Fernández, President of the Provincial Council of Seville, together with Karima Benyaich, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco in Spain, and Dunia Delero, the Consul General of the Kingdom of Morocco in Seville. Also present, showing their support for Ahmed, were Casimiro Fernández, Provincial Deputy for Culture and Citizenship; Lorena García de Izarra, Managing Director of the Three Cultures Foundation; Si Lahbib Chebat Tizgha, curator of the exhibition; and Noor Ben Yessef, daughter of the artist and journalist of Antena 3, among other notable personalities who came to celebrate this transcendental occasion.

Ahmed Ben Yessef’s career, from Tetouan to Seville, and his more than sixty years living in our city, have been dedicated to weaving a rich tapestry of creativity. His works, which span painting, sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics, are a testament to his boundless creative freedom and his ability to draw light and color from both his birthplace and his adopted home. This exhibition, which brings together works made between 1963 and 2025, is a dazzling culmination of a life dedicated to art, showcasing the various techniques and trends that have defined his extraordinary career.

We extend our sincere congratulations to Ahmed Ben Yessef on this significant occasion. Their art not only enriches our lives, but also serves as a vibrant bridge between cultures, fostering the mutual understanding and appreciation that are so vital to a harmonious society. We are truly proud to call him a friend and a beloved member of our community.