Morocco to Reach 48 Degrees Celsius

Morocco's heatwave continues with a fresh warning from the National Meteorological Department (MND) saying that maximum temperatures of up to 48 degrees will be reached today (July 29) to Tuesday, August 1 in several regions of the Kingdom

Hot - with a chance of dust storms

On Saturday temperatures between 43 and 48 ° C are forecast at Errachidia, Zagora, Tata, Assa-Zag, Es-smara, Boujdour, Aousserd, Oued Eddahab and the interior of Laayoune and Tarfaya.

Temperatures ranging between 39 and 43 ° C will be experienced in the regions of Guercif, Taourirt, Jerada, Boulemane, Figuig, Fez, Moulay Yaâcoub, Taounate, Khouribga, Beni Mellal, Fquih Ben Saleh, Settat, Kelaâ des Sraghna, Rhamna, Marrakech, Youssoufia, Khémisset, Sidi Slimane, Sidi Kacem, Ouazzane, Taroudante, Ouarzazate, Tinghir and the interior of Essaouira, Sidi Ifni, Guelmim and Tan-Tan.

On Sunday, the regions of Errachidia, Zagora, Tata, Assa Zag, Es-smara, Aousserd, Oued Eddahab and Boujdour will have maximum temperatures between 41 and 46 ° C, while Guercif, Oujda, Jerada, Taourirte, Boulemane and Figuig, Errachidia, Zagora and Tata will see temperatures between 39 and 44 ° C on Monday and Tuesday.

In addition, gusts of strong winds will be experienced on Monday and Tuesday with duststorms in some areas.


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New Service to Tinghir from Fez Airport

Moroccan low-cost airline Air Arabia Maroc has expanded its Fez-Errachidia bus service by 135 km to reach Tinghir in the region of Draa-Tafilalt

The updated bus service will also stop at Goulmima, a city in the province of Errachidia.

Air Arabia has said that the new service “marks an additional step in the continuing support that the company offers to develop tourism in Morocco.” The company pointed out that this service would also increase accessibility to previously hard-to-reach regions.

The shuttle bus services are provided by Air Arabia Express.

Tinghir is the perfect destination from which to explore the Todra Gorge. Situated on the east side of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, the Todra Gorge is recognised around the world as one of the most spectacular canyons, where over the millennia the Todra and Dades rivers have carved out layers of rock, giving rise to canyons 300 metres (980 ft) high but in some places only 10 metres (33 ft) wide. After leaving the gorge. the river widens, developing into an oasis edged with the red ochre of the desert.

The gorge, though in a remote area of Morocco, is a popular tourist destination and has been outfitted over the years with hiking paths and a well-maintained dirt road that visitors can walk along, though they must share it with mules and other pack animals.

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Flights Marrakech Krakow Brings Record Polish Tourists

According to the office of the Moroccan National Tourist Board (ONMT) in Warsaw, the number of Polish tourists visiting Morocco last June saw a surge of 70% compared to the same period the previous year

The ONMT delegate in Warsaw, Rachid Ennaciri, said that this 70% performance in June alone, exceeding 4,500 visitors, is the best ever recorded in the Polish tourist market.

This gradual increase is attributed to the promotional campaign of the Morocco destination initiated by the ONMT on the Polish market, said Ennaciri, pointing out that three Polish television channels (TVN, TVN Style and TVP 3) produced documentaries

The ONMT and the Irish low-cost airline Ryanair have entered into a partnership agreement to serve Marrakech from Krakow with two flights a week (Monday and Friday) giving Polish tourists the possibility of having city breaks in Marrakech and Fez.

One of the last times Morocco saw a surge in Polish tourists was when Suzanna Clarke's book, A House in Fez, was translated into Polish. (See more here)

For our Polish readers!

Co byście powiedzieli, gdyby brodaty notariusz wręczył wam akt kupna domu wykaligrafowany na papirusie zupełnie niezrozumiałym dla was pismem? Albo gdyby zatrudniony przez was stolarz okazał się fundamentalistą? A jeśli do tego wszystkiego musielibyście strzec się dżinnów? To wszystko, a nawet więcej, może was spotkać gdy kupicie dom w Maroku!

Dom w Fezie to prawdziwa historia dwójki australijskich dziennikarzy, którzy straciwszy głowę dla plątaniny barwnych uliczek i zaułków arabskiej medyny, w porywie szalonego uczucia postanawiają… kupić dom w sercu Fezu – najstarszego i jednego z najpiękniejszych miast Północnej Afryki.

Suzanna Clarke z humorem opowiada o perypetiach związanych z renowacją trzystuletniego riadu, potyczkach z marokańską biurokracją i specyfice pracy miejscowych fachowców. Opisuje uroki tętniącej życiem medyny i relacje z nowymi sąsiadami. "Dom w Fezie" to klimatyczna, pełna kolorów podróż po meandrach marokańskiej kultury. Miejscami zabawny, miejscami wzruszający zapis codziennych spotkań z Marokańczykami zaskakuje, uczy, a także pozwala inaczej spojrzeć na siebie i własną kulturę.

Propozycja dla wszystkich, którzy pokochali Maroko i tych, którzy dopiero planują się tam wybrać


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A Trans-Maghreb TGV ~ Feasibility Study

The possibility of taking a train journey across the Maghreb is back on the table. A TGV link between Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria could become one of the great train trips

Nothing is certain, but the project to rehabilitate the Trans-Maghreb train is underway. The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) is holding the 3rd ordinary session of the commission to oversee the feasibility study of this ambitious project.

The four day session will be devoted to the evaluation of the technical and financial offers presented by consulting firms that participated in the invitation to tender. The study is financed to the tune of $1.7 million by the African Development Bank (ADB).


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Malaysia - Morocco ~ Now Visa Free

The Moroccan government and its Malaysian counterpart have signed an agreement to allow citizens of both countries to travel back and forth without visa requirements

Morocco's Ambassador to Malaysia Mohammed Reda Benkhaldoun and Datuk Ramlan Ibrahim

The partial abolition of the visa agreement was signed by Foreign Affairs Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ramlan Ibrahim on behalf of the Malaysian government and the Kingdom of Morocco's Ambassador to Malaysia Mohammed Reda Benkhaldoun on behalf of Morocco.

Under the new agreement, Malaysian and Moroccan passport holders who are travelling for business or social visits with valid documents are allowed to enter and exit both countries without a visa for a maximum period of 90 days.

Malaysian passport holders, including diplomatic passport holders, will be able to enter Morocco freely for a maximum period of 90 days, for official or social purposes without the requirement of a visa.

The visa waiver is also applicable to transit passengers travelling through both countries.

In an official statement, the Malaysian ministry said the agreement is expected to further enhance bilateral relations between the two Muslim countries.

It will also enhance economic, trade, investment and tourism cooperation between both countries.

The agreement will take effect after all requirements have been fulfilled by both countries.

Morocco established diplomatic ties with Malaysia in 1963.

Morocco exports canned fish, food, fertilisers, plastics and chemical products to Malaysia and imports mainly electric and electronic goods.

Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Morocco stood at about US$200-US$300 million in 2015. 2,927 Moroccans visited Malaysia in 2016 and the number is expected to increase gradually following the agreement.

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Circus in Salé

National Circus School Shems'y in Salé on 19th, 20th and 21st - Admission is free!

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Amazigh Festival - Recommendations

After the closing of the Thirteenth International Festival of Amazigh Culture in Fez, the organisers issued a call to consolidate diversity and reform school curricula in order to build intercultural and inter-civilisational understanding as ramparts against the rise of all extremisms

Hadda Ouakki  at Bab Makina

The thirteenth international festival of Amazigh culture, which was organised under the patronage of His Majesty the King, in Fès from the 14th to 16th of July, on the theme "Amazighity and Cultural Diversity in the Face of Extremism", came to a close early morning on Monday.

This festival was organised by the Fes-Saiss Association and the South South Centre in partnership with the Fes-Meknes Region and the Esprit Foundation of Fès. It was a resounding success at the academic, artistic and organisational levels. It stressed the positive impact of intercultural dialogue and the consolidation of cultural diversity on living together and peace.

Participants at the international forum discussed relevant and varied issues, including aspects of Amazigh culture in North Africa; the importance of mixing between Amazigh, African and Mediterranean cultures; the fight against extremism and violence in the region; The role of art and culture in the struggle against extremism; the role of intellectuals and civil society in the resolution of conflicts and the fight against violence.

This forum highlighted the contribution of Amazigh culture to the consolidation of peace, dialogue, and diversity. It advocated making cultural diversity a lever for integration and sustainable development.

More than a hundred intellectuals, artists and musicians representing different regions of Morocco, and thirteen friendly countries, participated in this festival, which also included book exhibitions, art and Amazigh carpets, with round tables and workshops on painting, writing and storytelling.

The third musical evening of the festival ended last Sunday in a festive atmosphere. Thousands of festival-goers came to the beautiful Bab Makina, to vibrate to the Mediterranean rhythms. Italian artist Laura Conti, Hadda Ouakki of the Middle Atlas and the great star of the modern Moroccan song, Abdelhafid Douzi, made it unforgettable evening.

Laura Conti was a crowd favourite

Participants in the international Forum made the following recommendations:

1) Emphasise the central role of the Amazigh culture as vectors of the universal values of living together
2) Strengthen and support the values common to cultures and civilisations
3) Establish intercultural and inter-civilisational understanding as a barrier against the rise of all extremism.
4) Strengthen gender equality in order to foster social integration.
5) Reform and modernise school and university curricula to encourage living together and respect for diversity
6) Teaching interaction and exchange among civilisations
7) Teaching the history of religions, in order to compare religions in their historical contexts
8) Emphasise the values of peace and coexistence.
9) Separate religion from politics, and consolidate the separation of powers.
10) Strengthen the democratic culture and values of freedom, with a view to achieving global and sustainable development.

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Amazigh Cultural Festival Ends on a High Note

The International Festival of Amazigh Culture closed last night with an over capacity crowd jammed into the beautiful Bab Makina venue

Participants at the Festival's forum sessions that we spoke with during last night's concert were united in judging the Festival a huge success, with lively debates and thought provoking addresses.

Congratulations are due to the Festival organisers; in particular Fatima Sadiqi and Moha Ennaji.

Moha Ennaji at last night's concert

First up at the final concert was the dynamic powerhouse Hadda Ouakki, who was greeted warmly by the audience and delivered her set with her four dancers with gusto. It was pure Amazigh and showed just how alive the ancient culture is today.

Hadda Ouakki

Next up was Laura Conti, who was welcomed back to the Festival. She first performed at the Festival back in 2015. With a great voice and the skills of an actor she inhabited the music and received a rapturous response from the audience.

Laura Conti in full flight

Conti's songs were skilful arrangements by guitar maestro Maurizio Verna, whose performance gave her the space to bring the songs alive.

The three piece group Eivadòr (Golden River) is named after the old Caravanserai name for the Orco River, famous for the extraction of gold.

Guitar maestro Maurizio Verna,

The final performance was from a crowd favourite, Abdelhafid Douzi. The singer and actor, now in his thirties, appeared on stage and the crowd surged forward, past security to the front of the stage. The sea of waving arms, smart phones and cameras held aloft made glimpsing the singer a little difficult and photography impossible, but the music told the story and the crowd rewarded Douzi with a tsunami of applause.

Halfway through the concert there was a large crowd locked out

The only criticism of the evening was the Festival's underestimation of the size of the crowd. Numbers were so great that the doors of Bab Makina had to be shut to prevent the hundreds still waiting outside to enter. Not only is overcrowding unpleasant, causing many people to stand for the duration, but it raises serious safety issues.


Despite those problems, the Festival was judged an overwhelming success and showed just how tangible "intangible cultural heritage" can be.

Photos & Video; Sandy McCutcheon

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Festival of Malhoun Music in Fez

The 15th edition of the National Festival of Art of Malhoun will take place from the 21st to 29th of July in Fez under the theme "for the preservation of our artistic heritage"

Organised by the urban community of the city of Fez, this cultural event aims to perpetuate and enhance intangible cultural heritage and to promote its influence.

The Malhoun Festival includes a wide range of cultural activities and thematic conferences with professionals and researchers in the field.

This festival performances are planned in many areas of the spiritual capital such as Jnan Sbil and Jardin Lalla Amina. It is expected to involve a dozen Malhoun groups and orchestras from various regions of Morocco.

Mohamed Soussi (photo Sandy McCutcheon)

It includes exhibitions on the subject including publications of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco and a ceremony in homage to the artist Mohamed Soussi, president of the association "Thami El Medghari for the art of Malhoun".

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Morocco's Heatwave Continues

According to today's bulletin from Morocco's Meteorology Office, the heat wave will persist from Saturday to next Tuesday in several regions of the Kingdom with maximum temperatures oscillating between 37 and 46 ° Celsius

Temperatures ranging from 42 to 46 ° C will be recorded on Saturday and Sunday in Aousserd, Oued Eddahab, Boujdour, Smara, Assa-Zag, Tata, Zagora, Errachidia, Tan Tan, Guelmim, Sidi Ifni, , Beni Mellal, Rhamna, Kalaa Sraghna, Khouribga, Fqih Ben Saleh, Settat, Youssoufia, Khemisset, Meknes, Fez, Taounate, Moulay Yacoub, Sefrou, Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane, Ouezzane and the interior of Larache and Essaouira.

The mercury will climb up to 38/41 ° C in Figuig, Boulemane, Taourirt, Jerada, Guercif, Taza, Chefchaouen, El Hajeb, Khenifra, Berrechid, Benslimane, Sidi Bennour, Chichaoua, Safi, Tiznit, Chtouka a Baha , Inzegane, Agadir (interior), Ouarzazate, Azilal and Kenitra (interior).

On Monday and Tuesday, maximum temperatures between 41 and 44 degrees will interest Taroudant, Tata, Zagora, Aousserd, Smara, Assa Zag, Marrakech, Rhamna, Taounate and Moulay Yacoub.

The temperatures will be 37 to 40 degrees in Fez, Meknes, Ouazzane, Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane, Larache (interior), Khemisset, Khouribga, Fqih Ben Saleh, Settat, Youssoufia, Kalaa Sraghna, Beni Mellal, Errachidia, Oujda, Taourirt, Guercif and the interior of Safi and Essaouira.

The hot weather will persist in the southeast and eastern regions of the Sahara on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 July.

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Morocco's Heatwave - Understanding the "Chergui"

In a recent bulletin the Directorate of National Meteorology indicated that the very high temperatures are due to the “chergui”. The View From Fez received a flurry of emails asking "what is the chergui?"

The chergui or sharqi (Arabic: شرقية‎‎ šarqīa) is the name of a continental easterly or southeasterly wind which blows on the southernmost part of Morocco, a hot and dry wind coming from the Sahara Desert. This wind can be compared with the sirocco, a very hot and very dry desert wind.

The Arabic word means "coming from the east", as the chergui emanates from the desert east of the Atlas Mountains. This is a rain shadow wind, and it descends after passing over the top of the mountain range as very hot and dry air into the coastal plains area towards the Atlantic ocean. This brings soaring temperatures typical of the desert, often over 40 °C (104 °F), and can even bring about 48 °C (118.4 °F) during the day. The relative humidity is extremely low, nearly always below 15%.

The chergui can also (more rarely) blow in wintertime, and is responsible for warm, sunny and dry weather.

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Amazigh Festival Tackles Big Questions

There is a fascinating array of academic experts participating in the International Festival of Amazigh Culture and today they showed that they weren't backing away from contentious issues

Michael Willis identified the antagonism between Islamists and Amazigh movement

The day started with an address by Maatti Kabbal from the l’Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris. His topic was "A Critique of Extreme Reason."

This was followed by a panel discussion on Amazigh Culture in North Africa, with Jilali Saib from the University of Mohammed V in Rabat, Amazigh activist Meryam Demnati from the Observatory of Amazigh Rights in Rabat., Madina Touré from Nouakchot University in Mauritania and Slimane Douih from the Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fez.

"Don't forget our African heritage"- Slimane Douih 

Slimane Douih, who comes from the area of the Moroccan Sahara, made the point that while much of the discussion centres around the common belief that majority of North Africa's population is believed to be Amazigh in origin, but, due to Arabisation most ethnic Amazigh identify as Arabised Amazigh. Douih challenged this by pointing out that much of the rock art and cave paintings point to a very strong African element. He made the point that while much of Amazigh culture and history is now recognised, that the African component is totally ignored. He also pointed out that his study of the Saharan Hassani language is not an Arabic language but rather linked to Amazigh. Likewise social customs and dance, show a particularly strong African rather than Arabic influence.

After a coffee break and much discussion, came a presentation by Michael Willis (Oxford University) on the topic; Enemies Allies or Competitors? Islamist-Amazigh Movement Relations in Morocco and Algeria. Willis started by saying that following the arrival of the Arabs in the 7th century, there has been a strong belief that Morocco and Algeria are Arab cultures. He pointed out that Islamists and Amazigh view each other as a threat. From the Islamist perspective pluralism is a threat to Islam and that, at root, the movement is post-colonial secularism.

On the other hand, the Amazigh movement sees a different kind of colonialism; saying that Arabisation, in the form of dress, customs and language, is being promoted by various Arab countries outside the Maghreb.

Willis says, that while there is antagonism between the two groups, there have been moves to build bridges. Much of this has come from the state who have a desire to use the Amazigh movement as a bulwark against Islamism. In the process, he claims, many Amazigh activists have been coopted by state institutions. During the recent tensions in the Riff region there was a coming together of the Islamists and Amazigh, though, as Willis points out, the Hirak movement is a social one rather that simply Amazigh or Islamist.

Long time Amazigh Activist Meryam Demnati

Speaking with The View From Fez, Meryam Demnati agreed and pointed out that it was a common problem with the mass media who see things in simplistic terms.

One irony Willis highlighted, was that when Morocco's Islamist PJD party came to power it was presented with the task of implementing the Amazigh policies enshrined in the new constitution - policies that they had been fighting against.

The conference winds up tomorrow after another full day of discussion. It is very much worth attending.

See full programme here

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Under the Sweltering Sky - Fez Scorches

Taking a non-airconditioned taxi in Fez is like travelling in a fan-forced oven. "It's like a baker's oven," the driver declares and then shrugs and grins. "Could be worse. You could be in Marrakech." He's right, but only just 

Fez Medina bakes under a sweltering, cloudless sky

This week has seen some of the hottest weather Fez has experienced in many years. Temperatures reached 47 Celsius a couple of days ago and are now back to a (slightly cooler) 44C. Marrakech is sweating with a very hot day - 46C.

The Directorate of National Meteorology says that the hottest temperatures would be in the north. In central Morocco, Ouarzazate is set to reach 41C and Oujda 39C.

Temperatures in Rabat and Tangier will be a comfortable 33C, while Essaouira will have Saturday afternoon’s lowest temperature at 24C.

The coming week sees some relief for Fez on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with temperature highs of 36, 34 and 35 respectively, before heading back up to 42 over the next weekend.

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Amazigh Festival Opens in Fez

The 13th edition of the International Festival of Amazigh Culture opened last night at the Hotel Merinides. A capacity crowd were welcomed by Festival Director, Moha Ennaji

Before the inaugural address, the Festival paid homage to three notable Moroccans; Mohammed Kabbaj, ex-president of Esprit de Fes and the Fes-Sais Association, Emeritus Professor Ahmed El Khamliche and the Belgian-Moroccan writer Issa Ait Belize.

The inaugural address was delivered by the French writer Hubert Haddad, who spoke about "Le tissage des langues" - "the weaving of languages".

The Festival has an intriguing display of Amazigh art

The large audience was truly international and multicultural, with participants and visitors from around the world. The Festival had anticipated this and thoughtfully provided instant translations via headphones.

In the audience, The View From Fez spoke with Lebanese writer and journalist,  General Nizar Abdelkader (pictured left), who said this was his third visit to Morocco and his second as a participant in the Festival.

Abdelkader specialises in writing on international politics and is the author of many books on the subject. "I have always been fascinated by politics', he said, "at the moment I am watching close the developments in Iran. They dream of rebuilding the Persian Empire."

Nizar Abdelkader will be speaking at a forum on Multiculturalism, Multilingualism and Extremism at 18.05 today. On the same panel will be Belkacem Boumedini and Nebia Dadoua Hadria, both from Algeria. Also on the panel is one of the organisers of the Festival, Fatima Sidiqi.

Academic and Festival orgaiser, Fatima Sadiqi

The Festival continues until Sunday at the Merinides Hotel, with evening concerts at Bab Makina. Tonight (Saturday) the concert will feature the group Ahidous Tahla, Hassan Berkani and Ibtissam Tiskat.

See the full programme here

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This Weekend in Fez- Culture, Music and Photography

Friday afternoon sees the opening of the International Festival of Amazigh Culture at the Merinides Hotel. See the programme here   

From 14 to 16 July, the city of Fez will host the thirteenth edition of the International Festival of Culture Amazigh under the theme "Amazighity and cultural diversity confronting extremism". Numerous Moroccan and European artists will take part in this edition, including Abdelhafid Douzi, the star of classical Amazigh song Hadda Ouakki, Moroccan singer Ibtissam Tiskat, Saïd Senhaji, Aïcha Tachinouite, Hassan El Berkanai, Italian artist Laura Conti, in addition to the star of Flamenco dance Monica Arrabal and other musical and artistic activities.

The forum will provide an opportunity for experts, researchers and civil society actors to discuss current issues related to peace, dialogue and cultural diversity and its role in addressing all forms of extremism, and in the consolidation of democracy, coexistence, tolerance and the culture of solidarity.

At the same time, the festival will organize workshops on storytelling, painting, as well as poetry readings and art exhibitions, and book and carpet exhibits.

The music programme is impressive.

Friday Night: AICHA TACHINOUIT. (Morocco) BALLET FLAMENCO MONICA ARRABAL (Spain) and SAID SENHAJI (Morocco)

Saturday Night: GROUPE AHIDOUS TAHLA (Morocco). HASSAN ELBERKANI (Morocco) and IBTISSAM TISKAT (Morocco)

Sunday Night: HADDA OUAKKI (Morocco); LAURA CONTI (Italy) and ABDELHAFID DOUZI (Morocco)

Sunday's Photo Walk

Come and join the photo walk to discover the many layers of the Fez medina. Lead it by Hamza Ben Rachad Photo Walk Sunday, July 16 at 10:00 AM. Meet in front of the Batha Fountain

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Morocco's New Airline Routes

Two Airlines have just announced new routes to Morocco. The British low-cost airline Easyjet will launch a new route between Manchester and Agadir's Al Massira airport. Roundtrip flights will be operated twice a week (Wednesday and Saturday) starting at 33.99 pounds, a little over 400 DH

Departures are scheduled for 7:35 am (arrival at 11:35 am) and 2:35 pm (arrival at 6:35 pm), while return flights departing from Morocco are scheduled on Wednesday at 12:20 pm (arrival at 4:30 pm) and Saturday at 7:20 pm (arrival at 11:30 pm). On this route, Easyjet will compete with Air Arabia and Thomsom Airways.

A new direct link between Morocco and Italy will starting operating on November 4th when the European low-cost airline TUI fly will connect the airport of Turin with that of Marrakech.

According to the local newspaper Torino Oggi , the company will schedule a weekly flight on Saturday. In local times, he will depart at 7.55pm from Turin and will land at 10.30pm in Marrakech. From Marrakech, the plane will take off at 15:00 to arrive at Turin at 19:20.

The flight, lasting about three and a half hours, will be aboard a Boeing 737-700 with 148 seats.

It will meet the needs of Italian tourists who wish to go to Morocco for their holidays, but also to the 55,000 members of the Moroccan community who live in the Piedmont region of north-western Italy. Half live in the province of Turin.

Airline tickets are already on sale on the airline's website with prices starting at 69.99 euros (about 770 dirhams).

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Morocco's Tourism Sector Bounces Back

After an uncertain few months last year, Morocco has seen a healthy growth in tourist numbers. According to the Tourism Observatory a total of 3.8 million tourists visited Morocco between January and May 2017, up 9% from the same period a year earlier, according to the Tourism Observatory

The number of foreign tourists grew by 12.3%, while arrivals of Moroccans resident abroad increased by 3.4%.

The increase was particularly strong from Germany (+ 9%), Spain (+ 8%) and Belgium (+ 7%), the Observatory said.

In more good news, it appears that the emerging tourism markets for Moroccohave maintained their upward trend, with China growing by 760%, while Japan, South Korea, the United States and Brazil posted increases of 45 %, 42%, 34% and 35%.

The total number of nights spent in classified tourist accommodation increased by 17% during the first 5 months of 2017 (+ 22% for non-resident tourists and + 6% for residents).

Marrakech and Agadir alone accounted for 60% of total overnight stays at the end of May, says the Observatory, which notes that these two cities increased by 19% and 16%, respectively.

Other destinations also performed well, particularly in the cities of Fez and Tangier, with increases of 38% and 31% respectively.

Revenues from non-resident tourism in Morocco amounted to MAD 22.86 billion at the end of May, compared with MAD 22.7 billion a year earlier, an increase of 0.7 %.

The entry of Moroccans resident abroad has increased in comparison with the year 2016, both on the sea and air routes.

Launched on June 5 to welcome Moroccans living abroad (MRE), Operation Marhaba 2017 will continue until September 15. A total of 17 reception areas have been set up under the direction of the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity.

No fewer than 709,620 nationals have returned to the national territory, according to statistics from the Central Coordination Office of the Foundation. This represents an increase of 7.09% compared to 2016 until 10 July. Indeed, 51% of the MREs (362,951 persons) have returned via air, while 49% have returned to the territory by sea.

Thousands of Moroccans return home for the holidays

A total of 178,233 people transited through the port of Tangier Med, representing 51.4% of the MREs that opted for this route. It is followed by the port of Nador, where 56,666 people transited (16.4%), recording an increase compared to last year (34,058 people on the same date). Bab Sebta (43,420 people - 12.5%), Bab Melilla (35,039 - 10.1%) and the port of Tangiers (29,118 - 8.4%) are the most important.

In terms of air transport, Casablanca airport received the largest number of MREs, numbering 113,931, with 31.6% of the total number of people returning by air. It is followed by the airport of Fez, which welcomed 42,917 people until July 10, or 11.8% of the total.

The first two airports are followed by Tangiers (42,267 - 11.7%), Marrakech (42,124 - 11.6%) and Nador (38,819 - 10.6%) respectively. In addition, Nador airport registered 35,298 people in 2016, an increase of 9.97% as of July 10, 2017.

At the entry points, the foundation teams in charge of hosting the MRE offered social and medical assistance.

The entry of Moroccans residing abroad is expected to peak between July 15 and August 2.

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The Saga of Palais Jamaï Continues!

The Palais Jamaï in Fez has had a rocky history. From starting life as a grand residence it eventually be became a hotel, but was finally closed and basically abandoned in 2014. However, it appears that a new chapter has started and Palais Jamaï will be reborn in grand fashion

The Jamaï Palace was built in 1879 by Si Mohammed ben Arbi el Jamaï, Grand Vizier of the Sultan Moulay Hassan 1 (1836-1873-1894).

On the death of the sultan in 1894 the family was out of favour with the the new Sultan Abd El Aziz (1878-1943) who had two members of the Jamaï family were imprisoned. The family was dispersed, and its property was confiscated.

The Jamaï family were proud Fassis and eventually recovered their property. During the period of the French Protectorate, the family put the Jamaï Palace up for sale and began negotiations with Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, through its subsidiary the Great North African Hotels (SVHNA).

This sale was not easy: as one account puts it, "This acquisition, a real Arab tale, was sealed by an act signed by some forty heirs of the Grand Vizier and forms a large roll of enlightened parchment, enclosed in a precious wooden chest, worked and padlocked ! But this, after interminable negotiations which began in 1923, and many obstacles, the least of which was not to obtain the departure of the women who populated the harem and who obstinately refused to evacuate the palace. The last five heirs, entrenched in the inextricable maquis of the Moroccan procedure, took four years to affix their signatures to the bottom of the famous parchment in 1929

The North African Travel and Hotel Corporation transformed it into a hotel for the accommodation of tourists coming for North African Auto-tours.

In 1927 the hotel was enlarged by the architect Edmond Gourdain (1885-1968).

But after the collapse of the Transat in 1931, THE Palais Jamaï was bought by the Company of the Railways of Morocco.

After the end of the Protectorate in 1956, the National Railway purchased three concessions that linked the former Moroccan capital Fez to the Atlantic. One of them was the Moroccan Railway Company (CFM), which owned the Palace.

In 1998, the ONCF sold the hotel for a period of twenty years to the Accor group, which operated it under the Sofitel label. The group invested fifty-four million dirhams (5 million euros) for the renovation of the Palace.

In December 2014, the Accor group ended its management and closed the hotel.

The ONCF took over the Palais Jamaï de Fès, announcing on January 5, 2015 that the hotel will have to be redeveloped and renamed and that it will be renamed in Mamounia .

But in September 2016 the Jamaï Palace was still closed, the work had not started and the hotel was abandoned.

According to a decision published in the Official Bulletin of 6 July, the national railway company, headed by Mohamed Rabie Khlie, was authorised to establish a public limited company known as "Palais Jamai SA" with a capital of 10 million DH.

The company will rebuild, equip and operate this hotel. The decision in the Official Gazette was co-signed by the Head of Government and the Minister of Finance. Its objective is to give a new life to this palace to make it a hotel establishment awith standards identical to those of La Mamounia in Marrakech and Michlifen near Ifrane.

The works will require a total budget of 572 million dirhams, 40% of which is capital and 60% financed by bank loans. The text specifies that Palais Jamai SA will be open as early as 2023.

At the end of the reconstruction work this famous Fassi palace will have 31 suites and 60 new rooms, in addition to outbuildings.

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Morocco's Heatwave reaches 46 Celsius

Morocco's heatwave is a scorcher with temperatures rising to 46 degrees this week. The heat wave should continue until at least Saturday

In a special bulletin, the Directorate of National Meteorology indicated that this rise in temperatures is due to the “chergui”, a hot wind coming from the south of the country and that it should continue until Saturday

Today (Tuesday) Tata, Zagora, Errachidia, Taounate, Moulay Yacoub, Taza, Guercif, Oujda, Sefrou, El Hajeb, Fez and Khénifra will experience temperatures ranging from 41 to 44 degrees.

Temperatures between 38 and 41 degrees are expected in Figuig, Beni Mellal, Marrakech, Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane, Meknes, Khouribga, Ouazzane, Boulemane, Taourirte and Jerada.

From Wednesday, July 12 to Saturday, July 15, temperatures between 42 degrees and 46 degrees are forecasted in Taounate, Moulay Yacoub, Fez, Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane, Meknes, Sefrou, Taza, Guercif, Oujda, Taourirte, Ouazzane, Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane, Khémisset, Khénifra, Khouribga, Fkih Ben Saleh, Settat, Kelaat De Seraghna, Marrakech, Beni Mellal, Rhamna, Tata, Zagora, and Assa Zag.

Morocco World News issued a warning to tourists and locals, saying they should follow these tips to keep hydrated and avoid over-exhaustion:

Drink plenty of hydrating fluids, and avoid caffeine, stimulants, diuretics, and alcoholic beverages as they have dehydrating properties. Avoid heavy meals.

Wear light and loose fitting clothing that will allow perspiration to evaporate and cool the body. Wear wide-brimmed hats in light colors to keep the sun from overheating the head and neck and from hurting the eyes.

Apply sunscreen 15 or more 30 minutes before exiting, and continue to reapply according to the instructions of the package.

Avoid strenuous exercises during daylight hours when temperatures are at their highest. Do aerobics and other exercises after sundown.

Apply cold compresses or wet towels on the neck, face, torso, head to lower body temperatures while performing strenuous activities or sunbathing,

Eat foods that are high in water content such as fruits and vegetables. Avoid eating raw food and foods that have been exposed for hours in restaurant buffets.

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International Festival of the Amazigh Culture - Program Update

The International Festival of the Amazigh Culture

13th Edition

Merinides Hotel, Fès

International Festival of Amazigh Culture in Fez July 14-16

Douzi, Senhaji and Tiskat sing love and brotherhood

From 14 to 16 July, the city of Fez will host the thirteenth edition of the International Festival of Culture Amazigh under the theme "Amazighity and cultural diversity confronting extremism". Numerous Moroccan and European artists will take part in this edition, including  Abdelhafid Douzi, the star of classical Amazigh song Hadda Ouakki, Moroccan singer Ibtissam Tiskat, Saïd Senhaji, Aïcha Tachinouite, Hassan El Berkanai, Italian artist Laura Conti, in addition to the star of Flamenco dance Monica Arrabal and other musical and artistic activities.

The forum will provide an opportunity for experts, researchers and civil society actors to discuss current issues related to peace, dialogue and cultural diversity and its role in addressing all forms of extremism, and in the consolidation of democracy, coexistence, tolerance and the culture of solidarity.

At the same time, the festival will organize workshops on storytelling, painting, as well as poetry readings and art exhibitions, and book and carpet exhibits.

During the opening ceremony of the festival, which will take place on Friday 14 July afternoon, a vibrant tribute will be paid to Mr. Mohamed Kabbaj Founding President of the Fez-Sais Association and the Spirit of Fez Foundation, and a tribute will be paid to the thinker Ahmed El Khamlichi, director of Dar Al Hadith Al Hassania, and to the eminent Belgian-Moroccan writer Issa Aït Belize, in recognition of their many praiseworthy contributions to social and cultural development of Morocco. In the evening in Bab Makina, three concerts will be held, including that of Aicha Tachinouite, the Catalan group Monica Arrabal and Said Senhaji.

Many writers, thinkers, and researchers will participate in this great cultural event, namely Jean-Marie Simon, France, Saad Eddine Ibrahim of Egypt, Alfonso de Toro of Germany, Roberto Tonini of Italy, Hubert Haddad of France, Nizar Abdelkader (Lebanon), Michael Willis (Great Britain), Johan Goud (Netherlands), Ahmed Assid, Abdelkader Benali, Mohammed Taifi, Mohammed Nedali (Morocco) and many more!

All in all, this thirteenth edition of the Fez Festival of Amazigh culture will be rich and varied, and a good opportunity for all the young people and the inhabitants of the Fes-Meknes region, to enjoy the highlights of the Festival: debates and music concerts in the heart of the medina of Fez, an imperial and marvellous historical city.

Programme of the Forum

Amazighity and Cultural Diversity Confronting Extremisms

Friday, July 14

17:00:   Arrival of participants

17:30:   Opening of the Forum and the Festival  

             Opening remarks

19:00 Tribute to the Honourable:  Mohammed Kabbaj, Ahmed El Khamlichi, and

           Issa Ait Belize

18: 30   Keynote 1: «The Weaving of languages" (in French)

                                    Hubert Haddad (Writer)

19:20 Reception and a Tour of Expositions

Saturday, July 15

Morning

9:00 – 9:30

Room 1

              Keynote 2:   Criticism of Extreme Reason

                                       Maati  Kabbal (Institute of The Arab World, Paris)

                                         Moderator: Fatima Sadiqi

9 :30 – 10 :30

Room 1

First Session:      Insights on Some Apects of the Amazigh Culture in North Africa

                                  Moderator: Issa Aït Belize

Speakers:  

Jilali Saib (Mohamed V University, Rabat)

Meryam Demnati (Amazigh Observatory of Rights and Freedoms, Rabat)

Madina Touré (Nouakchot University, Mauritania)

Slimane Douih (Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez)

10:30 – 11:00 Debate

11:00 – 11:30

              Keynote 3: Enemies, Allies or Competitors? Islamist-Amazigh Movement Relations in Morocco and Algeria

                             Michael J. Willis (Oxford University, United Kingdom)

                               Moderator: Moha Ennaji

11 : 30 – 11 : 50   Coffee break

Room 1

11 : 50 – 12 :50

Second Session : Reflections on the Theories of Cultural Studies and                        

                                  Globalization

                                    Moderator:  Alfonso de Toro

Speakers :  

Mohamed Taifi (University of Virginia, USA)

Issa Aït Belize (Moroccan-Belgian Writer, Brussels)

Bouthaina Ben Kridis (University of Carthage, Tunisia)

Alberto Tonini (University of Florence, Italie)

12: 50 – 13: 15 Debate

15:30 – 16:15  

Room 1

Third Session:          Literature, Art and Cohabitation

Moderator: Mohamed Fousshi

Speakers :

Enza Palamara (François Rabelais University, Tours, France)

Ali Fertahi (Moulay Slimane University, Béni-Mellal)

Juliane Tauchnitz (University of Leipzig, Germany)

16:15 –16 :45  Debate

16 :45 – 17 :15

                              Keynote 4: Alfonso de Toro (University of Leipzig,  

                                                     Germany)                                        

                                           Culture as a Weapon against Extremism

      Moderator : Jilali Saib

17:15 – 18:05   Coffee break

18 :05- 19 :35  

Room 2

Parallel Session: Painting Workshop on "Fighting Extremism"
Hosted by Khadija Madani Alaoui and Tarek Sadki (University of Fez)

18 :05 - 18:50  

Room 1

Fourth Session:   Multiculturalism, Multilingualism and Extremism

                                  Moderator:   Juliane Tauchnitz

Speakers:

Nizar Abdelkader (Lebanon)

Fatima Sadiqi (International Institute for Langues and Cultures, Fez)

Belkacem Boumedini (Mustapha STAMBOULI University, Mascara, Algeria)

Nebia Dadoua Hadria (CRASC. Oran, Algeria)

18:50 -19:20 Debate

Sunday, July 16th

9 :00 – 12 :00

Room 2

Parallel Session: Story-telling Workshop on "Fighting Extremism"
Facilitated by: Jean-Marie Simon (Stories lighter, France and Mohammed El Alami, University of Fez)

Room 1

9 :00 – 10 :00

Fifth Session:   Amazigh, Religion and Democracy

                               Moderator: Meryam Demnati

Speakers:

Johan Goud  (University of Utrecht, Holland)

Yahya Belaskri (France)

Moha Ennaji (International Institute for Langues and Cultures, Fez)

10 :00 – 10:30  Debate

10 :30  - 11 :00

                     Keynote 5: Equality values in Amazigh Culture

                 Ahmed Assid (Amazigh Observatory of Rights and Freedoms, Rabat)

Moderator: Mohamed Nedali

11 :00 – 11:20  Coffee break

11 :20 – 12:35

Sixth Session:     Radicalization of Youth and Extremism

                                Moderator : Nizar Abdelkader

Speakers:

Abdelkader Benali (Moroccan-Dutch writer)

Bruce Maddy-Weitzman (Senior Research Fellow)

Jean-Marie Simon (France)

12:35 - 13: 05   Debate

13: 05 – 13:35   Programmed speech: Saad Eddine Ibrahim (Ibn Khaldoun

                               Center, Egypt)

                              Cultural Diversity in the Middle East and North Africa

                              Moderator: Abdelkader Benali

13:35 – 13:55 Poetry reading: Mohamed Nedali, Bassou Oujebbour, Saida

                           El Kabir, Asmae Belkasmi, Khadija Madani Alaoui

Moderator: Mohammed Moubtassime

13:55      Recommendations and closing

17:00 – 20:00 Guided Tour of the Medina (optional)

MUSICAL CONCERTS IN BAB MAKINA

21:30 - 00:00

Friday, July 14, 2017

- AICHA TACHINOUIT  (Morocco) -  BALLET FLAMENCO MONICA ARRABAL (Spain) - SAID SENHAJI (Morocco)

Saturday, July 15th, 2017

-GROUPE AHIDOUS TAHLA (Morocco) -HASSAN  ELBERKANI (Morocco) - IBTISSAM TISKAT (Morocco)

Sunday, July 16th, 2017

-HADDA OUAKKI (Morocco) - LAURA CONTI (Italy) -ABDELHAFID DOUZI (Morocco)

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