Morocco celebrated the 70th Anniversary of the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) on May 17 with a large-scale event in Rabat that highlighted the organization's modernization and commitment to public safety. Set against the backdrop of the Atlantic coastline, the outdoor event celebrating the national police force combined military precision with show production elements, transforming a traditional parade into a visually compelling spectacle, with lighting design by Concept K and lighting equipment from Elation.

To bring the ambitious production to life, the lighting team at Concept K, led by French lighting, set, and multimedia designer Frédéric "Aldo" Fayard, collaborated closely with Artistic Director Stéphane Thiodat of SC Production. The event used an extensive Elation lighting package supplied by Novelty / Dushow Group, including 155 Proteus Maximus, 78 Proteus Hybrid, and 160 Sōl I Blinder fixtures.

Concept K
Concept K was responsible for the lighting design, setup, and show programming, including lasers and fountains. The company had previously worked on the DGSN's 69th anniversary celebration in El Jadida and was again entrusted with helping elevate the annual event.

"The first challenge was simply the scale," explains Frédéric "Aldo" Fayard, founder and lead designer at Concept K. "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 brightness for the thousands of VIP guests and meet the requirements of the broadcast team and their cameras. It was essential to highlight and enhance the police forces during this important 70th anniversary celebration."

Creative Collaboration
The production site featured one huge stage, six towers, and a large guest tent, all integrated into a lighting and effects system that supported a parade showcasing various DGSN squads, including different police forces, vehicles, mounted units, and canine teams.

Beyond the technical requirements, Thiodat sought to turn the military parade into a spectacular show. To achieve this, Concept K worked closely with the artistic director, who outlined the sequences requested by the Colonel overseeing the event.

"During the creative process, the concept evolved and we adapted accordingly," Aldo commented. "As always, we had to work within budget restrictions and, thanks to our long-lasting collaboration with Stéphane, the process was very smooth and efficient."

Dust and Moisture Protection
To support the creative vision, Concept K expanded upon the original scenic design, using the entire structure as a platform for lighting and laser integration. Fountain effects were also incorporated into the setup, making weatherproof fixtures a necessity. Because the event was staged outdoors on open ground adjacent to the ocean, environmental conditions posed additional challenges, including dust and moisture exposure.

Proteus Power and Protection
"We needed fixtures that were completely dust-tight and waterproof," Aldo explains. "For key and side lighting, we were looking for a very powerful fixture with narrow zoom capable of covering long distances. Our conditions were demanding because the performance space covered approximately two football pitches. At the same time, for backlighting across the expansive performance area, we required a very wide beam angle to cover as much surface area as possible with a limited number of fixtures."

The Proteus Maximus met all of those requirements while 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's not the newest fixture on the market, it remains highly competitive compared to many more recent products," Aldo said of the proven LED profile moving head.

The Proteus Hybrid fixtures, Elation's groundbreaking weatherproof moving head in the Proteus series, complemented the design by providing versatile beam and spot effects throughout the production. "We've worked with the Proteus Hybrid many times before," Aldo says. "Its IP65 rating and true hybrid functionality were its key criteria. There are very few fixtures capable of delivering both beam and spot performance while also offering the reliability needed for outdoor events."

Sōl Sensation
Concept K was among the first to use the Sōl I Blinder, thanks to Dushow's early investment in France, and has been a fan of the multi-use blinder and effect light ever since. Some 160 Sōl I Blinders were used throughout the space for visual accents, rhythm cues, color washes, and dynamic backlighting.

"It's lightweight, easy to rig, efficient, RGBLAW, offers a wide beam angle, carries an IP65 rating, and delivers exceptional value," Aldo commented. "We used it for backlighting, effects, color rendering of each sequence, and to reinforce the rhythm of the show. The Sōl I is a true multitool-we love it."

Collective Effort Makes for Successful Show
The event was successfully delivered to thousands of attendees and broadcast audiences, earning praise for its impact and contemporary show design.

"The event went very well," Aldo concludes. "A huge thank you to Stéphane Thiodat for his trust on this very special project, and many thanks as well to Delight Event Management. We were also very happy to work with the Novelty / Dushow Group team, who provided full support from project preparation through on-site execution. A good result is always the outcome of a collective effort, and that was certainly the case here."

Project Team
Concept K:
• Frédéric "Aldo" Fayard
• Théo Broche Cannone
• Kelian Sevrée
• Paul Simon
• Santi Fernandez

Artistic Director
• Stéphane Thiodat

Production
• Delight Event Management

Photos courtesy of Concept K