Africa of the Africans,” the 3rd Annual International Artists Gathering of Fez

“Africa of the Africans,” is the 3rd Annual International Artists Gathering of Fez and runs from January 11-14, 2018

Co-curated by local artist and founder Omar Chennafi and guest curators Neil van der Linden, and George Bajalia, the 3rd Annual International Fez Gathering of Artists in Fez celebrates the theme “Africa of the Africans.”

Artists and scholars from around the world are invited to explore the connections between Morocco and the rest of the African continent through talks, art, and music. In addition to displaying the cultural power of Africa, the event promotes awareness of the intrinsic diversities and commonalities of the continent and studies its unexplored potentials within the walls of Fez – a symbolic ancient city with a modern role. The Gathering is a leader in promoting the arts of Africa and supports the artistic community of Fez by providing it a space to exhibit artwork alongside international artists, academics, and guests.

This year’s Gathering includes the following panels: “Photography and Documentary in Africa,” “Contemporary Art in Africa,” “Ritual, Practice, and Sufism in Africa,” and “Language Exchange in Africa: Beyond Francophone and Anglophone.” Presenters will discuss the function of cultural production in the African context and how art is being used to address the current challenges on the continent. Artists joining this year’s Gathering include Mohamed Arejdal, Ramia Beladel, Meriem El Haitami , Mohamed Charkaoui, Benjamin Füglister, M’hammed Kilito, Aurelie Lierman, Eva Maria Ocherbauer, Matteo Rubbi, Frank Vellenga, and Shishani Vranckx.

Omar Chennafi is the driving force behind the Gathering

Admission is free and open to the public. Participants are invited to share feedback. The entire festival will be filmed, documented and subsequently shared on social media. This coverage will include one-on-one interviews with artists and participants.

The International Fez Gathering of Artists is held in partnership with The Dutch embassy in Rabat, The Goethe-Institut in Morokko, The French Institute of Fez, the Regional Council of Tourism, American Language Centre of Fez, Café Clock, the Moroccan-American Commission for Education and Cultural Exchange, Plan-it Morocco, The Cervantes Institute, and the Confederation of African Students and Interns in Morocco.

For more information and press inquiries please contact Gwyneth Talley, Press/Media Coordinator, at fezgathering@gmail.com. Visit us online at http://www.fezgathering.com/.

Preview Program schedule
This is a preliminary schedule of the 3rd Fez Gathering program. Further theatre, concert, workshops and other performances will be announced in the coming weeks.

January 11th, 2018 Alif Riad (Invited guests) Arrival day in Fez.
18:30 Opening ceremony/reception - Alif Riad in Batha, Fez Medina. 19:00 Music Concert

January 12th, 2018 Dar Batha and other locations (Open to the general public)
19:00 Panel presentation: Contemporary Art in Africa
Panel presentation: Photography & Documentary Films in Africa Lunch provided by Café Clock Fez Fashion show: African Fashion
Exhibition opening at Alif Riad or El Kasmi gallery Music concert

January 13th, 2018
(Open to the general public)
Panelpresentation: Sufism, Religion, Rituals and their Artistic Expressions in Africa
Break Panel presentation: Language Exchange in Africa: Beyond Francophone and Anglophone Lunch provided by Café Clock Fez
Workshop:Islamic Geometry
Theatre Performance at Cinema Boujloud
Slideluck, African Potluck followed by the slide show production
Dar Batha and other locations

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