"Hymn for the Sahara" - Festival in the Desert

"Hymn for the Sahara" is an exciting 3 day festival under the stars in the desert of south Morocco. It will take place on the 28th, 29th and 30th of October 2016 in M'Hamid El Ghizlane, in the province of Zagora

The organisers aim to celebrate nomadic heritage and world music. In addition the festival will feature the 3rd edition of the Peace Caravan promoting peace and stability in the Sahara and Sahel. This is a festival where visitors can relax in the dunes, listen of music & poetry, dance under the moon and enjoy art or participate in workshops about the fragile environment of the desert.

Festival Taragalte – 7ème édition «Hymne au Sahara» - 28 au 30 octobre, 2016  - M’Hamid El Ghizlane, Maroc

«L’Oasis, source de vie au cœur du Sahara»

Célébration de la Culture nomade et des musiques du monde -Conférences, ateliers, expositions, artisanat et projections de film.

A month to go - and the work has begun

The festival sprung from a team of young local Moroccans who, in their words, "had a dream to make a contribution, no matter how modest, to the development of the Sahara region of Morocco". The team is already hard at work transforming the site in preparation for the festival.

This team, coming from a traditional Saharan Nomad background, wished to contribute especially to the preservation of the ancestral heritage of this region.

Expect tents and a lot of carpets

Taragalte concept was born out of a partnership between the local team with local foundations as well as national and international institutions, all wishing to make a contribution to genuine development of this region.

Taragalte concept not only wants to make an economic contribution to the region, but also to strengthen the cultural exchange between people. To stimulate the cultural exchange, the initiative aims to strengthen the connection between the different communities, already present in the Sahara when the great trade caravans were still running, to increase awareness and preservation of their cultures. The organisers say that exchanges are not only important between local people, but also for people passing through, among each other and with the locals.

Performers include:
Oum, Morocco
Tinariwen, Kel Tamasheq / North of Mali
Sahmaoui Aziz, France / Morocco
Kaira Arby, Mali (representing Festival Timbuktu)
Awek, France
Imerhan N'Tinezraf, Algérie
Hamid Ekawel, Niger
Hassani Group, Mauritania
Mohamed Dorentie (representing Festival Segou, Mali)
DJ U.R.S.N Suisse
Groupe Amazigh Amediaz Band Morocco
DrâaTribes, Morocco
Generation Taragalte, Morocco
Chabab (young) M'hamid, Morocco

Groupe en résidence «Caravane Culturelle pour la Paix» Maroc / Mali: Mariam Koné /
Samba Touré / Benzabo / Cheik Sikasso Ahmed Ag Kaedi / Said Jardouj / Ibrahim Laghferi

Groupe en résidence «Ecole de musique Joudour Sahara/Playing for change»
Pjeunes talents de M’hamid encadrés par:
- Nabyla Maan Morocco
- Fadimata Walt Oumar du Disco / Tartit Mali
- Samira Dainan Netherlands
- Susie Ibarra Philippines / USA

For more info check website: Taragalte.org
The full programme as a PDF can be downloaded here: Taragalte Festival

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Moga Festival in Essaouira - Oct 14,15, 16

After the Electronic Dunes festival success amidst the Star Wars sets at the heart of the Tunisian Sahara, the natural scenery of the Game of Thrones series in Essaouira will provide the backdrop for the first edition of MOGA,  a festival of music and electronic cultures. The venture is a new initiative from Panda Events and the Runtomorrow Moroccan collective

For three days, festival-goers will be treated to what the organisers say is "an experience out of time, an unprecedented escape in Essaouira, the old "Mogador", punctuated by intense moments of music, discussions and parties".

 Between the Medina, the beach and guest houses and in the heart of the argan forests will be musical brunches, workshops, exhibitions and digital video installations.

The nearby town of Ida Ougourd, festival-goers can take a walk in this typical riad architecture of the region of Essaouira and enjoy the music. This is the main stage  and is open from 4:00 am to 19h.

MOGA FESTIVAL
Contemporary Music and Digital Arts

Programming: October 14
Bella Sarris [Techno House / Desolat / Australia]
Chaim [Deep House / BPitch Control / Israel]
dOP live [Live Band Techno / Circus Company / France]
ETSU [Techno / Morocco]
SIS [Groovy house & Wild Techno / Cocolino / Germany]
Kali.G [Deep Techno & Ethnic / Wind Horse - Are Serious? / Morocco]

Programming: October 15
Live Soul [House / Innervisions / Germany]
MANDY [Techno House / Get Physical / Germany]
Culoe De Song [House / Innervisions / South Africa]
Shaun Reeves [Techno House / Visionquest / USA]
Driss Skali [Deep House / Casbour, Death by Analog / Morocco]>
Madjy & Massimo [Morocco]

Programming: October 16
Dj Tennis [Deep Techno / Life & Death / Italy]
Magda [Minimal Techno / Items & Things / USA]
Mind Against [Techno / Life & Death / Italy]
Koddi [Deep Techno / Runtomorrow, PWFM / Morocco]
Renaat [Techno & more / R & S / Belgium]
Secret 47 [Deep Techno / Y Serious? / Morocco] Pool party at Sofitel Essaouira Mogador 15 and October 16 Festival-goers will delight in the lush vegetation overlooking the ocean. A superb and huge pool areas, ideal for a "day party" memorable, from 12:00 to 20:00. Programming: October 15 Lee Burridge [Techno House / All Day I Dream / United Kingdom] Gorje Hewek & Izhevski [Techno / All Day I Dream / Russia] Yokoo [Deep House / All Day I Dream / France] Sweet Salty [Deep House / Coco Beach, French Kitchen / France]

MOGA Website and ticketing

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El Jadidia to Host 9th Salon du Cheval

Under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the 9th Salon du Cheval (Horse Show) will be held at Exhibition Park Mohammed VI in El Jadida, from the 11th to the 16th of October 2016

Since its creation in 2008, the Horse Show Association aims to promote the horse industry, and highlight the heritage and ancient equestrian traditions of the Kingdom. It contributes to economic and social development of rural areas and brings together the efforts of various operators and professionals in the equine industry in Morocco

A range of different activities highlighting all aspects of the horse: sports, culture, crafts, fun, economical ... and the equine industry: saddlery, farriery, armoury, riding and driving. For the edition 2016, the Organising Committee held a press conference yesterday to present this year's programme.

Under the theme "Traditional equestrian arts", the 9th edition showcases Morocco's equestrian arts such as the famous Tbourida (Fantasia). Troops of the various regions of the Kingdom will compete for the Grand Prix of Tbourida from His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

The 9th edition will feature a number of important breeds including Purebred Arabian and the Moroccan Breeders' Cup for Arabian Horses, the National Competition for Arab-Barb horses, the International Championship of Bearded Horses, as well as an international jumping competition counting towards qualification for the World Cup.

In order to sustain Morocco's equestrian culture, the show dedicates a range of activities for younger children with a competition for ponies and an art event for young talent in a special village for children.

Horse displays will be held daily and will highlight equestrian excellence through the participation of leading international figures.

Lectures on scientific and cultural topics will also take place in order to exchange information about important current topics such as "stem cells in veterinary medicine" and "Tbourida art among Moroccan traditional equestrian arts."

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Tangier's El Minzah Hotel in Trouble

The El Minzah is not only a hotel but also an iconic monument. Since it was opened back in 1930,  it has numbered the rich, the famous and the notorious amongst its guests. Now, it is struggling to survive

Following an inspection by the tourism commission of control, the El Minzah has been stripped of two of its five stars.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, inspections revealed serious shortcomings, particularly in the kitchens where they found lack of maintenance as well as a severe lack of hygiene and food safety. Several shortcomings and deficiencies were also found in accommodation.

The Commission decided to grant the hotel fifteen days for it to comply with the hygiene and food safety requirements. Failure to meet the standards within this time will result in the hotel being closed. In the meantime it is reduced to a three star hotel.

El Minzah is now only 3 stars

Opened in April 1930 by  Scottish aristocrat,  Lord Bute, this hotel is distinguished by its Moorish style. Over the years El Minzah and its famous Caid's Bar have played host to the actors Rita Hayworth and Rock Hudson, the designer Yves Saint-Laurent and writers Tennessee Williams and Paul Bowles. Filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci shot part of his Bowles inspired film The Sheltering Sky in the halls of El Minzah, as were some scenes of the recent Spanish series The Time Between Seams.


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One of the Famous Arches of Legzira - is Gone

The Arch of Legzira has for years been a Moroccan national tourist emblem, but no more. It has fallen - reduced to rubble

Described as "one of the world's top beaches" Legzira beach near Sidi Ifni was most famous for its natural arches carved by centuries of tidal flows. The eight kilometres of beach was a popular destination for locals and tourists interested in a variety of water sports. The arches were particularly photogenic and attracted photographers from around the world.

The largest and most spectacular had been showing signs of stress that were first noticed back in March when local residents noticed cracks on each of its sides. From then on it was only a matter of time before nature took its toll.

Back in 2014 the Huffington Post cataloged the best beaches in the world and of the 40 listed Legzira was in 29th spot. The beach, located about ten kilometres from Sidi Ifni, is described as a "site where winds and waves have sculpted arches and tunnels in the red cliffs, making the coast a paradise for surfers in search of adventure."

Suddenly, that has sadly all changed.


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Politics May Solve Free Voice Call Ban in Morocco

Moroccan citizens have been angry at the blocking of VoIP calls on the internet and see a ray of hope in the upcoming elections.  Ilyas El Omari, the leader of the Party of Authenticity (PAM) has promised to restore WhatsApp in Morocco if his party wins the legislative elections

Ilyas El Omari, "I will restore WhatsApp in Morocco"

The legislative elections scheduled to take place on October 7.

At a news conference last week, El Omari, secretary general of PAM, promised that if his party is elected and he becomes the head of government, Moroccan citizens will be able to make calls on WhatsApp.

According to a report carried by Morocco World News, El Omari did not provide any detail how he would keep his promise to restore phone service for WhatsApp, nor did he mention unblocking Skype, Viber, Facebook Messenger and all the other VoIP-based communication systems.

There was anger in Morocco since the beginning of this year when the major telecom providers colluded in blocking VoIP-based systems.

It turned out to be a relatively useless exercise as Moroccans quickly adapted to this loss by downloading various alternatives such as VPN (Virtual Private Networks) or using IP-altering programs like Hotspot Shield.

Despite the public anger and citizens' ability to avoid the blocking, Maroc Telecom, Inwi, and Meditel have refused to reverse their decision.

The Justice and Development Party is currently the ruling party since forming a coalition in November 2011. PJD advocates Islamism and Islamic democracy - they have been criticised for not opposing the VoIP blocking.

PAM, said El Omari in a recent interview with al Horra, stands “for the separation of religion from politics. If that means secularism, then we are secular. We stand for the concept of civil state, not a religious one,” El Omari said.

If PAM are elected, Moroccans citizens and business people, hope to be reconnected to the rest of the world on WhatsApp and the other VoIP systems.

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Sufi conferences and Samâa on the 28th/29th of October

Two special evenings of lectures and Samâa from Moroccan tariqas (Sufi Brotherhoods) on Friday 28th and Saturday, October 29th, 2016. The purpose of the two events is to have a dialogue with the regular participants of the Sufi Festival.

Please note that those events are organised at a private level and are not part of the Fès Festival of Sufi Culture.

Deux soirées de conférences et de Samâa de Tariqas du Maroc seront organisées le vendredi 28 et samedi 29 octobre 2016.

Friday, October 28, 2016: conference and round table: Sufism and Poetry
Samaa Evening: Tariqas of Morocco
Saturday, October 29, 2016: Conferences and round tables: The Seven Cities of Love
Samaa Evening: Tariqas of Morocco

Pour réserver cliquez ici:  To reserve a place please book here:  October Sufi Event

For more information email contact@festivalculturesoufie.com

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Free Photography Workshop in Fez

Street Photography - Sunday, September 18, 10:30 AM‬

(Meet in front of Batha Fountain)

The ALC-ALIF Photography Club invites you to join them to explore the streets of the Fez Medina. You will be able to gain an insight into street culture and enjoy the beauty of the most ancient parts of the city.

 

ALC–ALIF Photography Club
Omar Chennafi
Email: alifphotoclub@gmail.com
GSM: 0659661502
www.alcfezbook.com
https://www.facebook.com/ALC.ALIF.Photography.Club

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Photography : in the heart of the Fez Medina

The artist residency program organised by Takafes, the art and cultural innovation centre in Fes took place from July 15th to August 15th. Mohammed Hamdouni reports

Omar Chennafi, Hamza Ben Rachad, Mohamed Thara and Amine Bouyarmane

The initial impetus of the four authors and photographers, Amine Bouyarmane, Hamza Ben Rachad, Mohamed Thara and Omar Channafi, gave rise to a new reading of the heart of the Medina of Fes, through their own journey in old Fes alleys.

They are questioning the making of a city spatially and temporally and focused an independent, singular gaze on the urban spaces, revealing their specificity, morphology and history. At the same time they revisited the complex relationship between space and photography as a medium through a work process, built up by repeating a daily pathway deep in the Medina.

The landmarks captured during the walks, became photographic traces and are an attempt to capture light, time, and (negative)space as a fundamental component of photography. They question the concept of emptiness and how it bounds with space; virtual and real space, physical and mental, private and social, cultural and natural, perceptual and representative space.

Space in Moroccan popular culture is space which is not occupied by objects. It interacts with other aesthetic elements and different representations. A close relationship rose up between photography and the urban space being traversed. The immateriality in the photographs of the four artists manifests itself as a vacant space with greater emphasis. The empty space works as a great filler. From the reality to the photograph, the notion of space, its mental and physical structure are in continuous change. A wide empty area allows a contemplative, spiritual connection with the world.

The public space is governed by the representations that organise the forms of appropriation and general perception made about them. The photographs have very important argumentative possibilities in a world where images are intended to move around.

Photos - Mohamed Thara 

Thus, the silhouette of the woman in black Niqab, photographed by Mohamed Thara, locates her according to her surrounding while she walks in the Medina’s space.

Photos; Omar Chennafi 

Between shadow and light, the way the silhouette of the man with the straw hat is disposed in Omar Chennafi photograph, conditions largely the motion and the rhythm of his moves. The example of the man in the djellaba, in Amine Bouyarmane photograph, contemplating the empty space in an empty alley, or the young lady, photographed by Hamza ben Rachad from behind, running from darkness and seeking light.

Photos: Hamza ben Rachad 

In those photographs, space is often empty or occupied by people, or rather their silhouettes, located in its volume, surface or even different dimensions. Silhouettes can be spotted in relation to each other by measuring the distance or the direction. Space and its character are conditioned by emptiness, made visible by the negative space in the photographs - an interpretation of the labyrinthine, conflictual space and its transformation through the seasons, between a slow developing medina and man’s attempt to overpower it.

Photos: Amine Bouyarmane

In all the photographs shot during Takafes residency, shapes meet in space, enter in collision and plastically melt in each other. Behind each photograph, there is always a story, every mark being piece of remembrance. No photographic image can be accessed otherwise than the fictional appropriation filter. They conform to space constraints that photographers work with, highlighting the ambiguity of the notion of public place. The result is a photographic essay, beyond social and historical borders, that forms a unique ethnographic and iconographic testimony to the Medina of Fes.

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Fez Mourns the Passing of A Master Craftsman

"So sad. The last woodworker passed way ... and so the whole legacy .... Master Mohammed Belmajdoub. Rest in Peace"  - Hamza El Fasiki

Sidi Mohammed Belmajdoub has passed away. For the last few decades he was producing beautiful objects from cedar, thuja, lemon wood and rosewood. From exquisite chess sets to spinning-tops, from small boxes to large spinning-wheels, Si Mohammed produced them all and he did so by hand and foot.

The first thing visitors noticed when approaching his small workshop on the Talaa K'bira was the smell of cedar. The next thing that struck you was the lack of noise. His hand-turned lathe was absolutely silent as he fixed the piece of wood he was working on onto the lathe and then, guiding his chisel, with his foot he rapidly produced the finished object.

Si Mohammed's products were sort after, not just by the passing tourists, but by local Moroccans, who said his work was some of the finest in the Medina.

Si Mohammed had six grown children who all have children of their own. Sadly, none of his children followed his love of woodcarving as a vocation. Most of his children emigrated to France some years ago. He was always understanding about their choices, pointing out that what he did was now easily replicated by machines. However, we beg to differ. His work was unique.

See our  2011 portrait of Si Mohammed here

Rest in Peace Sidi Mohammed Belmajdoub

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Moroccan Photo of the Day - Boujloud Festival

(Click on image to enlarge)

As every year, there are shows, dances and costumes in the Festival of Boujloud which is celebrated the day after Eid El Kebir.

The streets of Salé came alive with legendary characters, such as "Boujloud", "Herma" or "Bou Lebtayn", dressed in goatskin and moving to the rhythm of flutes and drums.

Photo courtesy of La Nouvelle Tribune

See more in our series Photo of the Day 

The View from Fez welcomes contributions to our Photo of the Day Series

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Fès Festival of Sufi Culture Postponed

The 10th edition of the Fès Festival of Sufi Culture has been postponed. It was to have run from the 22nd to 29th of October

A spokesperson for the Festival informed The View From Fez that the organisers "decided to work a little bit longer on the program for the event and so have postponed the 10th edition, probably until next spring".

No other explanation was given, but the downturn in tourism must surely have played a part. The organisers had been expecting some 20,000 people to attend.

This is disappointing news for those who had been planning to attend, particularly those coming from as far away as the USA, Australia and New Zealand and who have already booked flights and accommodation.

THE GOOD NEWS

However, the good news is that there are two be two special evenings of lectures and Samaa from Moroccan tariqas (Sufi Brotherhoods) on Friday 28th and Saturday, October 29th, 2016. The purpose of the two events is to have a dialogue with the regular participants of the Festival.

Please note that those events are organised at a private level and are not part of the 10th edition of the Fès Festival of Sufi Culture.

The Fès Festival of Sufi Culture has been held annually since 2007 under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. It was created by the Association of Fès Festival of Sufi Culture, headed by Mr. Faouzi Skali.

Deux soirées de conférences et de Samâa de Tariqas du Maroc seront organisées le vendredi 28 et samedi 29 octobre 2016.

Friday, October 28, 2016: conference and round table: Sufism and Poetry
Samaa Evening: Tariqas of Morocco
Saturday, October 29, 2016: Conferences and round tables: The Seven Cities of Love
Samaa Evening: Tariqas of Morocco

Pour réserver cliquez ici:  To reserve a place please book here:  October Sufi Event

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Google Duo Now Blocked in Morocco

Google Duo works on iOS as well as Android and offers unlimited free video calling to anyone using the same app on their device. However, since its release, Google Duo has been blocked in Morocco

Duo is a video chat mobile app developed by Google was announced at Google I/O on May 18, 2016 alongside Allo, an instant messaging app. Duo launched in the United States on August 16, 2016 and globally a few days later. Duo quickly climbed to the number one free app on Google Play within two days of its initial release

It worked in Morocco for the first month before the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) found a way of blocking it. It took the ANRT some time as the app uses a slightly different technology from the other VoIP apps - Skype, Viber and WhatsApp.

Alaa-Eddine Kaddouri, software architect and entrepreneur in the information and communications technology explained to Telquel.ma that it was technically "a little more complicated to block such communications,"  however he said that it was "quite possible".

Unfortunately for the ANRT, Moroccans took only a few days after its blocking of VoIP services to discover ways around the blockage by using a VPN.

The use of a VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a tunnel on the network and overrides the limitations established by the ANRT. To use a mobile VPN, is extremely simple. Once downloaded and installed, VPN apps automatically configure the VPN. Once connected to a network, users place a call normally, whether you are connected over 3G / 4G or WiFi. The most sophisticated of the VPN apps have the ability to disguise the fact that they are a VPN and are therefore undetectable.

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Eid in Fez Medina ~ Photo Essay

The Festival of Eid in Fez was blessed with a slightly cooler day and clear skies. Clear, that was until the smoke of charcoal and wood fires filled the streets. The View From Fez team was fortunate to be invited to a friend's house and enjoyed a wonderful day and (as usual) too much food. (Click on images to enlarge)

Our friend Lahcen invites us to a street barbecue

Salahadeen works getting the charcoal burning

... while the skewers are prepared

Australian visitor, Christel Taylor, starts loading the skewers

Meanwhile more stomach-lining is drying on the washing line 

Barbecue action!

Fatima Zahra shows how to cook while not burning

Finally, the first feast of the day is ready

While tomorrow's feast awaits cutting up

Back in the streets the barbecues continue to burn

...and the sheep skins are prepared for sale

And, in the end,  it is always mint tea

Photos: Sandy McCutcheon

The View From Fez would like to thank Rachida El Jokh and her family for the wonderful hospitality.

Eid Mubarak!

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Moroccan Tourism Adopts Emergency Plan

Misapprehension about the security situation in North Africa is causing headaches for Moroccan tourism

Morocco - Safe and welcoming

Morocco’s tourism sector is undergoing a crisis propelled by decreasing tourist arrivals amid a tense regional context marked by the spread of confusions in several European tourist markets on the security situation in North Africa.

Few tourists seem to appreciate that Morocco is probably one of the safest countries to visit, even more so than many European capitals.

To boost the Kingdom’s attractiveness to foreign tourists, Morocco’s tourism promotion office (ONMT) has adopted an emergency plan providing for a set of measures ranging from opening new air routes, launching promotional campaigns to showcasing Morocco’s attractions and using the Climate COP22 Summit to attract more tourists.

The measures were adopted during a closed-door meeting between the ONMT and professionals of the tourism sector in Morocco who took stock of the current unprecedented crisis that is worsened by the spread of amalgams in Europe in a context marked by soaring regional instability.

In this regard, the measures provide for launching new air routes to attract tourists from alternative markets such as the Arab world after the sharp drop registered in arrivals from Western Europe.

Besides, it was also agreed to add more flights for the 2016/2017 autumn season to boost tourist arrivals from Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

The new air routes will reinvigorate the tourism sector in the destinations of Agadir, Marrakech, Oujda, Fez, Tangier and Rabat.

In this respect, the ONMT, which already has partnerships with Morocco’s flag carrier RAM and Air Arabia, is considering agreements with other airlines such as JetairFly, Transavia, Ryanair, Easyjet, Norwegian & Vueling. The ONMT also plans to schedule flights linking the two tourism hubs of Agadir and Marrakech to the Czech republic, Hungary, Finland and Norway.

The organisation of the climate summit, COP22, is also an opportunity to highlight Morocco’s tourism attractions through a promotional campaign that showcases Morocco’s tourism infrastructure and stability.

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Eid Mubarak - From The View From Fez

The day before Eid has been busy with a last minute rush to buy a sheep for the sacrifice. During one hour in R'cif a correspondent for  The View From Fez counted more than 60 sheep being brought into the Medina - one every minute!

Counting sheep 

The souks are buzzing with last minute preparations and butchers, armed with knives and saws, have been drumming up business for tomorrow.
And it is not only sheep. Some families purchased goats while others went for young steers.

Only 0.5% of the population prefer cattle

The View From Fez wishes our readers a very happy and peaceful Eid Al-Adha

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