Riad Zany - farewells Zany!

Zany (Suzanna Clarke) flanked by Sanae and Karima

Last night was a big night at Riad Zany with both a birthday party and a farewell to Zany who is returning to Australia for a few months.

Riad Zany courtyard

Guests arrived into a courtyard that had undergone a magical transformation from looking like a construction site to an enchanted space in only a few short weeks. The lights in the fountain cast shimmering reflections on the soft creamy walls and the Moroccan wall lights added a wonderfully romantic feeling beneath the tall citrus trees.

Guests in one of the salons

To have the riad restored to this point in the months since the beginning of June when work commenced has been an extraordinary achievement by the craftsmen and workers. Their dedication to the project has been superb and the final result a testimony to their skills. As architect Rachid Haloui observed, "Very few restorations in the Medina manage to produce a result which so faithfully retains the spirit of such an ancient building."

Mouaniss, Dominic and Karima chat over dinner

Guests last night included several of the Medina's web and blog identities - Helen Ranger from Fez Riads, David Amster owner of Dar Bennis and author of the informative website House in Fez, Louis Mcintosh who featured on the View from Fez recently and blogs about his restoration experiences on the Louis-fes Blog and Jenny and Jon from Fez Restoration Blog.

Karima and Diane teach Louis to dance Moroccan-style

Fassi locals including Mouaniss from the Riad Zany team, Karima, Sanae and her sister also attended. Australian Josephine, the English contingent Dominic and William and American Diane all found their way through the winding streets to Riad Zany to farewell Zany.

For a while everyone talked about the various restoration projects around Fez and then after a delicious meal and refreshments the music was turned up and... well.. after all the talk of restoration one is allowed to get a little silly...


















Louis goes on a chip and chocolate binge






















David demonstrates the technique he has been teaching French tourists (pictured above) who want to photograph the architecture of the Fez Medina

Sad as it is to say farewell to Zany, the good news is she will soon be back bringing her considerable energy and skills with her. During her six months in Fez she has not only masterminded the restoration and interior design of the riad, but found time to write a book, undertake several professional assignments including photographing newly renovated properties such as Riad Laaroussa and Dar Settash and record life in the Medina in stunning images. Her photographic work on the Fes Sacred Music Festival was very well received and several of her images were used on the recent Fes Festival tour in the USA.

Photographs: Sandy McCutcheon

Tags: Morocco Fes, Maghreb news