Rabat — HRH Princess Lalla Hasnaa chaired on Saturday at the Mohammed V national theater a ceremony marking the 40th day of the passing away of Moroccan playwright and lyrics writer Ahmed Tayeb El Alj.

The artist passed away on December 1st, 2012 at the age of 84. He was one of the most prolific playwrights and lyrics authors.

The princess had visited before the start of the ceremony an exhibition of the late artist pictures and some of his books held at the theater.

HM King Mohammed VI addressed participants in this ceremony a message expressing "deep emotion" at the passing away of an "emblematic figure" of Morocco's cultural scene.

The royal message, that was read out by the Palace spokesman, Abdelhak Lamrini, paid tribute to the late artist's "multiple and various talents" and to his contributions, since the dawn of independence, to the artistic and dramatic revival and to the construction of Morocco's cultural personality.