Presentation of “Averroes, Light of Wisdom” in Marrakech

Marrakech – The book “Averroes: Light of Wisdom,” an international poetry anthology celebrating the 900th anniversary of the birth of the Andalusian philosopher and thinker Ibn Rushd, was presented Tuesday in Marrakech at a cultural event focused on dialogue between Moroccan and Spanish cultures.

Organized by the Cervantes Institute of Marrakech, in partnership with the Regional Directorate of Culture of Marrakech-Safi, this event is part of an international literary project initiated by the Collegiate Association of Writers of Spain, Autonomous Section of Andalusia (ACE-Andalucía), with the support of the Andalusian-Moroccan Friendship Association (Ibn Rushd Forum) and several Spanish cultural institutions.

The book brings together contributions from authors of various nationalities, using literary creation as a means to celebrate the memory of a thinker whose influence has spanned centuries.

Published by the Spanish publishing house Almuzara, this work reflects a desire to rediscover this intellectual richness through poetic language.

Speaking at the launch, the director of the Cervantes Institute, Miguel Ángel Sanjosé, emphasized the symbolic significance of this initiative, which uses literature and poetry as vehicles for reconciliation between peoples, while highlighting an intellectual figure whose life is intimately linked to the shared history of Spain and Morocco.

He also stressed the importance of keeping Ibn Rushd’s legacy alive for new generations, reminding them that his work constitutes a universal intellectual heritage, whose reach transcends geographical boundaries and cultural affiliations.

For his part, Manuel Gahete, president of the Collegiate Association of Writers of Spain, Andalusia branch, highlighted the collective and international dimension of this work, which brings together 120 poets from 14 countries, as well as nine translators, around a major figure of universal thought. He noted that this publication is intended as a tribute to the intellectual legacy of this Andalusian philosopher.

He pointed out that this initiative aims to make poetry a space for encounter between different sensibilities and cultural traditions, allowing for a re-examination of the legacy of a thinker whose contribution to the dialogue between civilizations remains particularly relevant today.

José Sarria, president of the Andalusian-Moroccan Friendship Association – Ibn Rochd Forum, emphasized the appropriateness of choosing Marrakech to host this second stage of the project, following its presentation last September at the Orive Palace in Cordoba.

This initiative, he believes, takes on a particular significance given the life of Ibn Rushd, born in Cordoba in 1126 and who died in Marrakesh in 1198—two cities that thus constitute the two major geographical landmarks of his life and intellectual legacy.

Beyond its commemorative nature, this initiative offers an opportunity to recall Ibn Rushd’s crucial role in the transmission and development of philosophical thought.

A jurist, physician, theologian, and philosopher, he remains particularly famous for his commentaries on the works of Aristotle, which contributed to their rediscovery and dissemination throughout medieval Europe.

His works, translated into Latin and Hebrew, profoundly influenced philosophical and theological debates in Europe, to the point that Ibn Rushd was considered “the Commentator,” so authoritative was his interpretation of Aristotelian philosophy.

His thought was particularly distinguished by his reflections on the relationship between Reason and Faith, defending the possibility of a connection between philosophical inquiry and the search for religious truth. This approach contributed to intellectual debates on the role of reason in knowledge and had a lasting influence on medieval European philosophy.

However, Ibn Rushd’s legacy is not limited to his philosophical commentaries. His contributions also encompass medicine, law, logic, astronomy, and theology, demonstrating an intellectual approach grounded in knowledge, critical analysis, and interdisciplinary dialogue.

The event also featured poetry readings, notably by María Ángeles Pérez, Francisco Morales Lomas, and Rafael Soler.

Through this initiative, Córdoba and Marrakech reaffirm their place in a shared intellectual history, while contributing to the strengthening of cultural and literary exchanges between Morocco and Spain.