Fes Festival's new director

Abdelhak Azzouzi (below) has been named new Director General of the Fondation Esprit de Fes (Spirit of Fez Foundation), and replaces Fatima Sadiqi who held the post for two years.


The Foundation organises various festivals including the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music, the Festival of Amazigh Culture, the Culinary Festival and the Fez Jazz Festival.

Professor of Political Science at the Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah University in Fez, M Azzouzi lectures in international relations at the Law Faculty, and is president of the Moroccan Interdisciplinary Centre for International Strategic Studies, and of the Fondation Ecoles de l'Espoir.

'I want to contribute to the building of the economic, social and cultural development of the city of Fez', announced M Azzouzi on his appointment, 'and to promote the image of this ancient city as a prestigious cultural and spiritual destination.'

He is keen to have the Foundation continue in its work to 'break down the barriers between ideas, thought and talents to make Fez a cultural crossroads for people from all over the world'.

There have been plenty of changes over the last couple years in the Fes Festival's management. Three Directors General have left: Faouzi Skalli, Naima Lahbil and now Fatima Sadiqi. Also lost have been the sponsorship director, Amina Fassi Fehri; the USA director, Zeyba Rahman; Production Director, Ali Diouri; Artistic Director, Cherif Khaznadar (although current and past Artistic Director, Gerard Kurdjian, is still in his job), as well as two financial controllers and various press co-ordinators.

Dr Sadiqi said in a communique with the press that she herself had suggested M Azzouzi for the post. She plans to devote more time to her academic pursuits.

The View from Fez wishes M Azzouzi every success in his new post.

Fez Jazz Festival cancelled

The View from Fez has also learned that the Foundation has cancelled the Fez Jazz Festival which was to have taken place from 14-16 November. Reasons are not apparent at this stage, but are probably financial.

The fifth edition of this event, which recently changed its name to FesJazz, had plenty of stars lined up to play not only in medina palaces as in past years, but also in city restaurants such as Trois Sources and the Majestic.