It's the kind of story that you could imagine was invented by a news sub-editor during a long night shift with no real news on the wires. But Maghrebia.com swears it's true. The 2006 International Magic Festival in Marrakech will feature 26 magicians from ten countries. One popular magician who features parrots in his show will not perform due to bird flu concerns.
Bird flu concerns with parrots? According to all the experts the chances of a parrot trained to being pulled from a magician's hat is highly unlikely to have anything worse than dandruff. However, the Moroccan Festival organisers are taking no chances.
French magician, Alpha (pictured above), holds the attention of young and old alike by using parrots in his magic shows in a set reminiscent of pirate stories and treasure hunts, . He has earned a worldwide reputation and is called "Magician of Birds and Fire".
Alpha was to participate at the third International Festival of Magic in Marrakech, but Moroccan authorities will not allow his parrots into the country. Over the last two weeks, authorities have forbidden the import of all kinds of birds from France following confirmation of the first cases of bird flu there.
The festival, scheduled in Marrakech for 16-19 March, will then move over the next few weeks to Casablanca, Mohammedia, Rabat, and Tangier. A total of 26 magicians from ten countries, including ten Moroccans, are expected to take part.
The International Magic Festival is an initiative of Moroccan magician Baby Dahan, who has been fascinated with the art form since childhood. He honed his skills when he was young, when his family lived in Washington. He was able to forge contacts with famous magicians who opened doors for him in a specialised club there and went on to become one of the most famous magicians in the world.
Tags: Morocco Fes, Maghreb news
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