Paris: The Fondation Maison du Maroc is currently hosting a photography exhibition titled “Guardians of Silence,” which offers a visual exploration into the heart of Imilchil through the perspectives of Moroccan photographers Noureddine El Magouri and Zakaria Mtilk. The exhibition, open until June 16, features twenty black-and-white photographs that pay homage to the people of Imilchil.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the exhibition was inaugurated on Thursday evening, attended by various personalities and art enthusiasts. The photographers, originally from Essaouira, documented the daily life of Imilchil’s residents during the winter season, capturing the essence of a small town situated at an altitude of 2,200 meters in the eastern High Atlas Mountains. The exhibition aims to showcase “the dignity, resilience, and discreet beauty” of the local community, focusing on various societal figures including women, men, children, and youth.

The images on display are the result of a journey undertaken by the photographers in February 2025. They utilized black-and-white photography to enhance the emotional impact of the portraits and life scenes. Noureddine El Magouri expressed that the exhibition’s title, “Guardians of Silence,” signifies “a silence filled with dignity, traditions, and generosity.” He explained that the exhibited works were selected from nearly 200 photographs taken during their visit.

Zakaria Mtilk described the project as “a human adventure,” highlighting the generosity and hospitality of the inhabitants they met. The exhibition also includes a 14-minute documentary film, which provides an audiovisual experience of the journey and interactions with local residents. Mtilk noted that the film emerged “spontaneously from sequences initially filmed without cinematic intent” and allows the audience to connect with the characters before viewing the photographs.

The exhibition is part of the Fondation Maison du Maroc’s cultural program in Paris and seeks to promote the international recognition of Moroccan photographic art. Prior to its Paris showing, “Guardians of Silence” was featured at the “Essaouira Photography Encounters,” organized by the French Institute of Essaouira last November.