Morocco celebrated the 70th anniversary of the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) with a large-scale event in Rabat that highlighted the organization's modernization and commitment to public safety.
Held outdoors against the backdrop of the Atlantic coast, the national police commemorative event combined military precision with major show production elements, transforming a traditional parade into a visually striking spectacle, with lighting design by Concept K and lighting equipment from Elation.
To bring this ambitious production to life, the Concept K lighting team, led by French lighting, scenic and multimedia designer Frédéric “Aldo” Fayard, collaborated closely with Artistic Director Stéphane Thiodat of SC Production. The event featured an extensive deployment of Elation fixtures supplied by Novelty/Dushow Group, including 155 Proteus Maximus, 78 Proteus Hybrid and 160 Sōl I Blinder fixtures.
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Concept K
Concept K was responsible for the lighting design, installation and show programming, including the laser and fountain systems. The company had previously worked on the DGSN's 69th anniversary celebration in El Jadida and was once again selected to help elevate the standard of this annual event.
The first challenge was the scale. We had to illuminate an area equivalent to two football fields filled with people, vehicles, horses and military equipment. At the same time, we needed to provide sufficient lighting for thousands of VIP guests while meeting the requirements of the broadcast team and their cameras. It was essential to highlight and enhance the work of the police forces during this important 70th anniversary celebration, explains Frédéric “Aldo” Fayard, founder and lead designer of Concept K.
Creative collaboration
The production site featured one huge stage, six towers and a large guest tent, all integrated into a lighting and effects system supporting a parade featuring various DGSN units, including police forces, vehicles, mounted units and canine teams.
Beyond the technical requirements, Thiodat wanted to transform the military parade into a true show. To achieve this, Concept K worked closely with the Artistic Director, who defined the different sequences requested by the Colonel overseeing the event.
“During the creative process, the concept evolved and we adapted accordingly”, says Aldo. “As always, we had to work within budget limitations and, thanks to our long-standing collaboration with Stéphane, the process was very smooth and efficient”.
Protection against dust and moisture
To support the creative vision, Concept K expanded the original scenic design by using the structure as a platform for integrating lighting and lasers. Water fountain effects were also incorporated, making weatherproof fixtures essential. As the event was held outdoors on open ground beside the ocean, environmental conditions presented additional challenges, particularly due to exposure to dust and moisture.
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Proteus power and protection
We needed fixtures that were completely dust-tight and waterproof. For the key and side lighting, we were looking for very powerful fixtures with a narrow zoom capable of covering long distances. The conditions were extremely demanding, as the performance area covered approximately two football fields. At the same time, for backlighting across the expansive performance area, we needed a very wide beam angle to cover as much of the area as possible with a limited number of fixtures, explains Aldo.
The Proteus Maximus met all those requirements while also providing the consistency and availability needed for a deployment of more than 150 fixtures. Its competitive rental cost further strengthened its position as the ideal solution for the project. “Although it is not the newest fixture on the market, it remains highly competitive compared to many much newer products”, says Aldo about the proven LED profile moving head.
The Proteus Hybrid fixtures, Elation's innovative weatherproof moving head in the Proteus series, complemented the design by delivering versatile beam and spot effects throughout the production.
“We have worked with the Proteus Hybrid on many occasions”, says Aldo. “Its IP65 rating and true hybrid functionality were key selection criteria. There are very few fixtures capable of delivering outstanding performance as both a beam and a spot while also offering the reliability required for outdoor events”.
The versatility of Sōl
Concept K was one of the first companies to use the Sōl I Blinder thanks to Dushow's early investment in France, and it has since become one of the company's favorite fixtures due to its versatility. A total of 160 Sōl I Blinders were deployed throughout the venue to create visual accents, reinforce the rhythm of the show, produce color washes and provide dynamic backlighting.
“It is lightweight, easy to rig, efficient, features RGBLAW technology, offers a wide beam angle, carries an IP65 rating and delivers exceptional value”, comments Aldo. “We used it for backlighting, effects, the color rendering of each sequence and to reinforce the rhythm of the show. The Sōl I is a true multitool—we love it”.
A collective effort behind the success
The event was a success for both the thousands of attendees and the broadcast audience, earning praise for its visual impact and contemporary scenic design.
Everything went very well. I would like to thank Stéphane Thiodat for placing his trust in us on this very special project, as well as Delight Event Management. It was also a pleasure to work with the Novelty/Dushow Group team, who provided full support from project preparation through on-site execution. A successful result is always the outcome of a collective effort, and that was certainly the case here, concludes Aldo.
Images courtesy of Concept K
