The Case of the Missing D'kak!

During the pre-dawn hours in Ramadan you may hear a drumming, singing and loud horn playing. This is the signal that the D'kak is abroad. This year the D'kak seems to be missing

To make certain you don't miss this meal is the job of the Bou Damdoum in Amazigh or D’kak in Moroccan Arabic, (the drummer), who uses his drums or n’ffar (a long horn that makes buzzing sound) to guarantee that everyone in the neighbourhood wakes up in time to cook and then enjoy their Suhoor meal before beginning the day's fast. It is a tradition also in Lebanon where the drummer is referred to as the Musaharati.

Yassine Boudouàià - one of the D'kaks in the Fez Medina

This Ramadan people waited intently for the sound of our local D'kak Yassine's approach. Nothing. No squeak, no drum, no singing, no banging on doors. It occurred to locals that maybe he had slept in and that good folk should get their drums and n'ffars and bang on a few doors until they found him.

After 2 in the morning the kids dance with the D'kak

The history of the D'kak dates back many centuries. It seems that his function was part of the social life in the Islamic eras, particularly during the Mameluk and Ottoman times.

An early report of the role of a D'kak in Algiers is in the remarkable work by the cleric Antonio de Sosa. In his Topography of Algiers (1612) - Edited with an introduction by María Antonia Garcés. Translated by Diana de Armas Wilson - Sosa has a brief description of the D'kak during Ramadan. "When midnight approaches, some Muslims, out of devotion, walk the streets sounding certain drums, whose sound awakens sleepers so that they can return to their food..." This is the same custom that (hopefully) still exists in the Fez Medina today.

In Palestine the D'kak is known as "the public walker" and exists to this day. Sadly, he seems missing in action in Fez.

Public walker Mohammed al Jamalah in Gaza City

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A Brief History of Morocco

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WorldTowning Supports the Fez Medina Children's Library

WorldTowning™ – Living the world, one hometown at a time - is the vision of some remarkable people - parents, Jessica and Will, along with their children Largo and Avalon. They explain their WorldTowning project as "a slow-traveling way of life for the curious and adventuresome, for lovers of the world, for those who desire to experience life to the fullest". Along the way they have given wonderful support to the Fez Medina Children's Library

Recently they spent several weeks in Morocco and described it as one of the highlights of their three year adventure which has seen them visit 18 countries. Along the way the family has recorded an entertaining and informative video blog.

Arriving in Fez they came across the Medina Children's Library in the old Medina of Fez. Inspired, they volunteered to take part in some of the library activities. They then decided to raise some funds to assist the library.

"The library has a remarkable group of individuals who cared about the future of Fez so much that they created this special space. But this space can only exist with the support of generous individuals like yourself to buy books, pay for the rent, utilities, and the salaries of the librarians.
If you have the ability to provide a donation it would greatly be appreciated. Each contribution directly benefits a child and their future by way of books.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!" - Jessica, Will, Largo and Avalon

The Medina Children’s Library was established to encourage literacy and a love of reading in the children of the Fez Medina community.
The library was started in January 2015 by a group of neighbors living in the Fez Medina. We wanted to offer the children in our community a place where they could discover books and develop a love of reading. This is the only children’s library in Fez.
In 2017 the library had record attendance with 14,700 visits to the library, over 1,200 each month! There is a huge need here and it is thrilling to see the ongoing enthusiastic response from the kids.


Jesica and Will have set up a "Causevox" site to collect donations. To date it has exceeded their goal, not in one week, but in one day!

Please click on this link to donate.

The library and The View From Fez would like to thank the WorldTowning team for their wonderful support.

Jessica

Will

Avalon

Largo

Visit the Medina Children's Library Facebook page

The library website is here

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Photo of the Day - Yarran Cavalier

A dramatic overload on the road to Ouazazate! Photo by Yarran Cavalier

(Click on image to enlarge)

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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Moroccan Photo of the Day - Bryan Dawe

Dawn in Fez - A moody view of a section of the Fez Medina - photo by Bryan Dawe

(Click on image to enlarge)

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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Al Firdaus Ensemble in Concert!

Al Firdaus Ensemble in Concert! Wednesday, May 30 at 9:30 PM ALIF Riad, 6 Derb Drissi, Batha. Al Firdaus Ensemble, based in Granada, was founded in 2012 by the English violinist and singer Ali Keeler and includes musicians from England, Spain and Morocco

The group takes its inspiration from the word Firdaus, which is the Arabic name for the most elevated abode in Paradise. The intercultural nature of this name reflects the character of the group, in which musicians from different countries and cultural backgrounds are brought together with one purpose. Just as the musicians tune their instruments, so they need to tune their hearts to receive the inspiration of the moment and transmit that to the audience. The traditional Arabic term for this kind of music is Sama`, which could be translated as “the art of listening”.

The unique sound of their music is due to a synthesis of different musical styles. These include original compositions of a more Western classical character with influences from both Celtic and Flamenco traditions, and new arrangements of songs drawn from the rich heritage of traditional Sufi music from Arabic, Andalusi and Turkish sources. The words of the songs are mainly in Arabic, drawn from the poetry of the great Sufis from Al Andalus and the Arab world, such as Ibn Arabi and Al Shushtari.

Also within their repertoire are musical adaptations of poems in aljamiado, old Spanish written by the Moriscos using the Arabic script. In this way Al Firdaus hopes to revive the heritage of the Moriscos, whose culture was forbidden in its day and and has only reached us through manuscripts which they left behind on their expulsion in 1609.

Al Firdaus usually plays in quartet or quintet formation. They use a combination of Arabic and Western classical instruments in addition to the flamenco guitar. They have performed in concerts and international festivals throughout Europe, Bosnia, the U.S., Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Turkey, Lebanon, and Malaysia. They have released two CDs: Safa in 2014 and Nur in 2017.

This concert, organized by the ALC-ALIF Music Club, is free and open to the general public.

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Moulay Yacoub: spa complex and hotel officially opens after Ramadan

The Vichy thermalia hotel Moulay Yacoub and the spa Moulay Yacoub, located about twenty km from Fes, officially opens their doors after Ramadan 

This project is part of a plan to modernise the baths of Moulay Yacoub.  The project, at a cost of 400 MDH, was managed between Sothermy and Vichy Spa International, a subsidiary of the Compagnie de Vichy , a leading French group in the field of hydrotherapy and well-being.

The aim of this partnership is to make baths a vector of development throughout the Fez-Meknes Region, thanks to positive socio-economic benefits for the village of Moulay Yacoub.

This development project aims to make Moulay Yacoub a spa with international standards and allow it to play the role of essential component of the tourism offer of the region of Fes Boulemane.

Previously, the thermal baths of Moulay Yacoub welcomed a million visitors a year, a figure expected to increase after the commissioning of new modern equipment.

The hotel has 100 rooms : 58 standard category (about 32 m2), 35 superior category (about 40m2) and 7 suites (from 63 to 80 m2).

It also has 3 food outlets, 3 meeting rooms for up to 100 people, a heated outdoor pool, a gym and a spa.

The region will now have two high class facilities after the opening of Rim Aquatic (see story here)

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"Ramadan Nights" - Concert in Fez

LES NUITS DU RAMADAN - CONCERT : MONICA PEREIRA

Sunday 27 May 22:00 Marriott Hotel - Fes

For Monica Pereira, everything starts in Guinea-Bissau where she was born. As a young girls she moved first to Portugal and at the age of 14 she settled in Paris where she discovered her talent for writing and singing.

She sings in French, Portuguese and Spanish, following her current inspiration with a subtle blend of Cape Verdean and Guinean sounds. Spontaneous, generous and charismatic, Monica Pereira epitomises the lusophone Creole tradition in which she has been raised since her childhood.

Monica is one of those endearing artists whose presence provides a real moment of pleasure and sharing. Her sweet and sensual voice blends perfectly with the rhythm of captivating sounds. From the first moment she sings, time is suspended on her lips, and we let ourselves be transported by the generosity of this charismatic singer.

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Breaking the Fast in Fez

Just before the cannon sounds to signal the breaking of the fast, the streets of Fez are almost completely deserted. There is a silence throughout the normally bustling Medina...

Once the cannon and the call to prayer are heard, the atmosphere changes. The streets around Batha come alive as locals and tourists fill the restaurants and break their fast.

Restaurant owners and workers find themselves eating as they work. The street restaurants soon fill up and latecomers have to wait for a vacancy before they can eat and drink.

After the first food and glasses of water or orange juice are consumed the atmosphere changes as people relax and the conversations begin. 

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14th International Festival of Amazigh Culture at Fès - Report

14th International Festival of Amazigh Culture at Fès called to strengthen the values of social justice and freedom

The curtain fell last Sunday on the fourteenth edition of the International Festival of Amazigh Culture in Fez. Organized under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI by the Association Fes Saiss and the Center South North in partnership with the Region Fes-Meknes, this edition was marked by the vibrant homage paid to the great writer Tahar Ben Jelloun and by a series of tributes to several figures of the Amazigh song.

During the debates, which brought together 30 speakers included Moulay Driss Alaoui Mdaghri, Mohamed Kabbaj, Nouzha Skalli, Hassan Aourid, Fatima Sadiqi, Jean-Marie Cimon, Juliane Tauchnitz ... the speakers emphasised the impact of multiculturalism in general and Amazigh culture in particular on modernity, democracy and sustainable development. "This congress shed light on the contribution of minority culture to the Islamic world and called for multiculturalism to be a lever for economic, social and cultural development," says Moha Ennaji, director of the festival. And to add that the congress has examined ways to promote democratic culture in the countries of North Africa. During the debates, Participants noted the important role of Amazigh intangible heritage and cultural diversity and their contributions to the culture of peace. Unanimous, academics like Mohamed Arji (University of Fes), Abdallah Boumalek (IRCAM), Abdelouahad Mabrour (University of El Jadida), Ali Fertahi (Mly Slimane University), Mohamed Chtatou (International University of Rabat) and Driss Bouyahya (University Moulay Ismail, Meknes), reviewed the evolution over the years of Amazigh cultural action and its different phases of transformation.

A dozen concerts at the historical site of Bab Makina set the tone for a colourful event! The varied programming attracted lovers of Amazigh and popular music.

Dounia Batma

The great artist Aicha Maya and the Faisal orchestra gave great concerts on the prestigious opening stage of the Festival. The second evening featured the great artists Fatima Tachtoukt, Sami Ray, and the group Ahidous Oulmès. For the Sunday closing, the Catalan band Marea Flamenca, the great artist Houssa 46 and the star of the Moroccan song Dounia Batma performed in marvellous concerts with their unique talents. The festival was pleased to honour the latter singers.

The International Forum, another strong aspect of the festival, it was a platform to discuss the Amazigh culture and the future of democracy in North Africa. The discussions focused on the importance of democratic culture and intercultural dialogue for human development, peace and social cohesion.

In parallel, theater, writing, and painting workshops, as well as poetry readings, art and book exhibitions and Amazigh carpet exhibitions were on the program.

Tahar Ben Jelloun, "the man of the year"

During the festival, the organizers paid a warm tribute to the writer Tahar Ben Jelloun. Born in Fez, the winner of the Goncourt prize (in 1987 for "La Nuit Sacrée") was chosen "man of the year" by the Amazigh festival. In a testimony, Mohamed Kabbaj, founder of the Association Fes-Saïss, returned on the paths crossed with Ben Jelloun. "Although we are both native of the medina of Fez, a few hundred meters, I have known you through your writings, novels, and articles," Kabbaj said. Prix ​​Goncourt in 1987 for "La nuit sacrée" (translated into 43 languages), Tahar Ben Jelloun is the glory of Moroccan writing: Arabization made him leave his post of teacher of philosophy in 1971, but opened him an international career. He is the most translated French writer in the world. He is the author of fifty books, poetry and novels. Writer elected member of the academy Goncourt (since 2008), he is the author of many novels including "Harrouda", "The scars of the sun", "The reclusions solitary", "The prayer of the absent" ... until to "A country on the nerves" and "Punishment".

Among the big names, writers, poets, and journalists who participated in this festival: Driss Mdaghri Alaoui (Morocco), Nouzha Skalli, Hassan Aourid (Morocco), Jean-Marie Simon (France), Noha Bakr (Egypt), Johan Goud ( Holland), Tarik Mira (Algeria), Juliane Tauchnitz (Germany), Mino Vianello (Italy), Youssouf Amine Elalamy (Morocco) and many others!

In the end, the 14th edition of the festival released the following recommendations:
1) Emphasise the central role of the Amazigh language and culture as vectors of universal values of democratic culture and living together.
2) Strengthen respect for gender equality and the preservation of social integration.
3) Sensitize individuals, especially young people through education, to the values of democracy, modernity and peace.
4) Encourage democratic culture in the family, school, community and cities, at local and national levels.
5) Encourage self-criticism and critical thinking, and work on mentalities as a way to prevent conflict.
6) Separate religion from politics, and consolidate the separation of powers.
7) Strengthen the values of social justice and freedom, and strengthen cooperation among North African countries to achieve democracy and sustainable development.

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World Class Water Park and Hotel Opens in Fez

The province of Moulay Yacoub, known for the virtues of its thermal water, is fast becoming a destination of attractions and recreation. Developer, Hassan Belamkaddem, has invested more than 140 million DH for the construction of a gigantic water park, "Rim Aquatique", on the road to Meknes, not far from the centre of Ras El Mae

Spread over an area of ​​6 hectares, the project includes three swimming pools, an artificial beach, 46 luxury suites, two restaurants with a capacity of 600 seats, a go-kart track, a garden, a playground, in addition to a park with trees.

"As I am originally from this province, I wanted to make a big investment to create an economic activity and offer work to young people," says Hassan Belamkaddem (pictured left). The centre provides for the creation of 500 jobs.

While the structural part is completed, the finishing of the guest rooms is in full swing. "We have imported Egyptian showers, Russian children's games and other equipment, such as water slides, from around the world. The "Rim Aquatique" project required 4 years of research, work and realisation.

"Its goal is to attract domestic and foreign tourists, "says Belamkaddem. The challenge, he says, is to build a modern recreation centre that meets international standards, especially in terms of safety. The project dedicated to families is the first in the region.

"We have a large pool, a learning pool with sledges, static waves, a play lagoon, a Jacuzzi, changing rooms, toilets, an infirmary, as well as administrative, storage and household complex," underlines the management of the project.


The opening to the public was on Saturday, May 5, 2018, a few days before the start of the summer holidays.

See more video here: Rim Aquatique

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New Flights Between Marrakech and Vienna

Air Arabia Morocco has announced the opening of a new route next winter between the cities of Marrakech and Vienna

This is the sixth line operated by Air Arabia Morocco from Marrakech to Europe, the company already serving Frankfurt, Montpellier, Pau, London and Paris.

The Marrakech-Vienna flight will be operational from 29 October 2018, with two weekly flights on Mondays and Thursdays, and will be operated by Air Arabia Maroc's fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft.

- From Marrakech to Vienna
Monday - Thursday: departure at 14:10; arriving at 19:20

- From Vienna to Marrakech
Monday - Thursday: departure at 20:10; arrival at 23:30

In April 2018, the Kingdom's airports recorded an air traffic volume of 2 million passengers, an increase of almost 10% compared to the same period in 2017. The Mohammed V airport in Casablanca produced 40% of total traffic, or 869,063 passengers, against 839,924 passengers for the same period of 2017, up 3.47%. Two other airports, Marrakech Menara and Agadir Al Massira, also continue their growth withinceases of 16% and 24% respectively.

Domestic traffic accounted for 239,908 passengers, a sustained growth of 14.7%. International traffic increased by 8.86% to 1,766,111 passengers, or 88% of overall traffic. The change is mainly due to the continued growth recorded by the Europe segment (10.37%). This is also the case for the Americas, up 10.03% for North America and 22.88% for South America. Markets in the Middle and Far East and Maghreb countries experienced growth of 4.22% and 0.87% respectively. The African segment, for its part, has posted a slight decrease of -1.84%.

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Fighting Corruption in Morocco

This week the Moroccan prosecutor's office launched a hotline dedicated to exposing acts of corruption  The public can now call a toll-free number - 0537718888 - and make complaints about acts of corruption

The implementation of this phone service is part of the national strategy to fight against corruption, which aims to promote the values ​​of integrity and transparency, to ensure the effectiveness of interventions of government departments in the field linked to the fight against corruption, in accordance with the principles of good governance as stipulated by the Constitution and Moroccan law.

The phone line reinforces the other mechanisms for denouncing acts of corruption, which are placed at the disposal of the citizens, the aim being to denounce these acts at the precise moment and with the necessary efficiency to control the cases of corruption or blackmail and inform the public prosecutor and the judicial police of the facts.

To this end, a call center under the authority of the Public Prosecutor's Office, which oversees the online processing of all calls, has been equipped with all the technological means of handling citizens' calls for transmission to the judge in charge, after have made sure that they relate to a crime of corruption. The judges in charge of these cases have the task of coordinating with the public prosecutor and the whistle-blower of these acts in order to arrest the suspect, in "flagrante delicto".

In an address delivered on the occasion of the launch of this new service, the Prosecutor of the King at the Court of Cassation, President of the Public Ministry, Mohamed Abdennabaoui, stressed that this new service is dedicated to the denunciation of acts of corruption or blackmail to which citizens may be exposed in public administrations and public services, aims to encourage citizens to denounce such acts.

Given the important role of citizens in the fight against corruption, Mr. Abdennabaoui said that the whistleblowing procedure will be conducted in anonymity to preserve the identity of the whistleblower, explaining that the independence of the judiciary ensures the perfect coordination between government departments and public services.

The Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Reform of the Administration and Civil Service, Mohamed Benabdelkader, for his part, noted that the launch of this hotline to denounce corruption is an "important step" in the process of building the rule of law and transparency and as a key mechanism in the implementation of the national anti-corruption strategy.

In parallel with the launch of this issue to denounce corruption in its various forms, an advertisement of about 48 seconds has been aired to publicise this new service to the public.

In its first two days, the direct telephone line dedicated to the denunciation of acts of corruption was quick to bear fruit, allowing the arrest in the flagrante delicto, of several individuals in three different cities.

Since its launch on Monday, the hotline has received some 355 calls, and allowed arrests in three cases of corruption in Fez, Sidi Bennour and Inezgane.

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Ramadan Kareem

We wish our readers a very happy, prosperous and peaceful Ramadan.

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Morocco Weather Alert

A special bulletin from the Directorate of National Meteorology (DMN) warns that heavy thunderstorms are expected from Wednesday, May 16 at 14:00 to Thursday, May 17 at 12:00, in several provinces of Morocco

The stormy showers, which will be accompanied by gusts of strong wind and hail, and may be locally very strong especially in the provinces of the Middle Atlas and northern High Atlas and the provinces  of Chichaoua, Al Haouz, Marrakesh, Azilal, Taroudant, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Errachidia, Fquih Ben Salah, Beni Mellal, Midelt, Khenifra, Khouribga, Ifrane, Taza, Guercif, Taourirt, Boulemane, Figuig, Jerada, Oujda and Berkane.

On Thursday from 00H00 to 12H00, these showers will be experienced in the provinces of Oujda, Berkane, Nador, Driouech, Al-Hoceima, Ifrane, Taza, Guercif, Jerada, Fquih Ben Salah, Beni Mellal, Khouribga, Khenifra, Khemisset, Midelt, Boulemane , El Hajeb, Fez, Meknes, Sefrou and Moulay Yacoub.

The bulletin also indicates that locally moderate thunderstorms will hit on Tuesday from 15:00 to 24:00 in the province of Figuig, with gusts of wind around 60 to 70 km / h on Wednesday in Tangier. Stormy showers in the Upper and Middle Atlas provinces are expected during the afternoons of Thursday and Friday, according to the MND.

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Rolling Stones in Morocco - 1989

An interesting video that includes a conversation between Mick Jagger and Paul Bowles as well as the Master Musicians of Joujouka. On the 30th of June the Master Musicians Of Joujouka will give a rare live performance in Marrakech (see details here)  

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New Push For Enhancement of Morocco's Ancient Medinas

On Monday, His Majesty King Mohammed VI presided over a ceremony at the Royal Palace of Rabat, which unveiled the programmes for the enhancement of the old medinas of Rabat and Marrakech, Casablanca and Fez

HM King Mohammed VI presides over the Rabat meeting 

The King ordered the development of the third phase of the programme of buildings threatened by ruin. For this the old Casablanca Medina has been given a budget of 300 million dirhams.

These new generation programmes aim to promote Morocco's ancient medinas, improve the living conditions of their inhabitants, preserve their architectural heritage, tangible and intangible, and promote their wealth and cultural authenticity.

At the beginning of this ceremony, the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Abdelouafi Laftit emphasized, in an address to His Majesty the King, that these programs, which proceed from a participative approach, support the rehabilitation projects of the old ones. medinas of Rabat, Marrakech and Fez.

The old medina of Rabat will see the restoration of ramparts, historic doors, of mosques and Zaouiyas, as well as the rehabilitation of the traditional foundouks and the provision of green spaces.

Under the program "Marrakech, city of permanent renewal" the city will see the preservation of more than 4,000 buildings, the rehabilitation of El Mellah neighbourhood, Ezrayeb and the Achouhada cemetery, as well as the development of tourist and spiritual tours of the old medina of Marrakech.

Fez, the kingdom's spiritual capital, will see the implementation of restoration programs for historic monuments and treatment of buildings threatened by ruin and a focus on the restoration of 27 historical monuments, including madrassas, foundouks, bridges, souks, tanneries, and bordjs.

These programs in Fez will benefit more than 1,600 people (craftsmen, shopkeepers, and students), allowing the restoration of more than 2,200 buildings threatening by ruin in the old medina of Fez.

According to the Minister of the Interior, the new upgrading program of the old medina of Rabat has a budget of about 325 million dirhams, with a contribution from the Hassan II Fund for Economic and Social Development of nearly 250 million dirhams.

The upgrading program of the old medina of Marrakech will cost 484 million dirhams. The Hassan II Fund for Economic and Social Development will contribute 150 million dirhams. The cost in the medina of Fez is nearly 583 million dirhams, including 100 million as the contribution of the Hassan II Fund for Economic and Social Development.

The Minister of the Interior indicated that HM King Mohammed VI ordered the development of the third phase of the program of habitats threatened by ruin as an integral part of the rehabilitation programme of the old medina of Casablanca with an overall budget of 300 million dirhams financed by the Hassan II Fund for Economic and Social Development.

The Minister of Tourism, Air Transport, Handicraft and Social Economy, Mr. Mohamed Sajid, pointed out that these enhancement programmes are aimed at strengthening the development of the medinas, improving their tourist and cultural attractiveness, the promotion of their civilizational and human heritage, in addition to improving the incomes of artisans and the development of the social economy.

Mr. Sajid said that the program for the old medina of Fes (2018-2023) concerns the rehabilitation of 39 historic sites of economic activity (Foundouks, workshops, souks), 10 mosques and Koranic schools, and the enhancement of 11 historical sites (water clock, museum of Jewish culture) and the restoration of Dar Al Makina. It is also planned that there will be 8 new car parks and the implementation of an electronic information system to enhance the tourist experience.

The minister also said that the upgrading program of the old medina of Marrakech (2018-2022) includes the preservation of historic monuments, the strengthening of the signaling system and lighting network, the establishment of interactive tourist information, and the development of public spaces and 6 car parks, including two underground.

The upgrading program of the old medina of Rabat (2018-2021) will focus on the development of the Place Bab El Had and places close to the central market, the strengthening of the signaling system, the setting up of interactive platforms for tourist information, pavement lanes (8 km), and the creation of two underground car parks in Bab El Had and Bab Chellah, with a total capacity of 1,090 vehicles.

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The Master Musicians of Joujouka, live in Marrakech

On the 30th of June the Master Musicians Of Joujouka will give a rare live performance in Marrakech

The exclusive 4-hour concert, at Villa Janna, presented by Atlas Electronic, is being held to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of their visionary cross-cultural collaboration with Rolling Stones Founder Brian Jones.

Getting to see the group perform is difficult as the Master Musicians of Joujouka's yearly tribal trance party in Morocco is limited to just 50 guests. Performances outside their small village in the Ahl Srif mountain range in Northern Morocco are rare and so this is a great chance to experience the wild magic of the Master Musicians of Joujouka.

You can read more about them in our two part photo essay here.


The Marrakech concert is being held at Villa Janna 
Douar El Mghazli CR Al Ouidane, BP Guéliz 2691
Marrakech - Maroc
Doors open at 17h00
Performance starts at 18h00

Tickets are 395 dirhams and should be purchased on line HERE



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Daylight Saving Ends on Sunday

With the approach of Ramadan, Morocco will turn clocks back this Sunday

13 May 2018 - Daylight Saving Time Ends
When local daylight time is about to reach
Sunday, 13 May 2018, 03:00:00 clocks are turned backward 1 hour to
Sunday, 13 May 2018, 02:00:00 local standard time instead.

Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour earlier on 13 May 2018 than the day before. There will be more light in the morning.



Daylight saving will return after Ramadan.  17 Jun 2018 - Daylight Saving Time Starts When local standard time is about to reach
Sunday, 17 June 2018, 02:00:00 clocks are turned forward 1 hour to
Sunday, 17 June 2018, 03:00:00 local daylight time instead.

Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour later on 17 Jun 2018 than the day before. There will be more light in the evening.

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Classic Rock in Fez

Lazywall is one of the most popular and widely acclaimed Moroccan Rock bands. The band was formed in 2003 in Reading, England by the three Anegay brothers: Monz, Nao and Youssef, who chose Classic Rock as their main influence. The band later started making a name for themselves and released their first EP “Primal Tapes” in 2006, which was recorded in Chicago

Lazywall has gained popularity both nationally and internationally and performed at some of the most prestigious venues and festivals: SXSW in Austin (USA), Garorock (France), and “L’boulevard Festival” in Morocco.

Lazywall blended their music with Arabic tunes and began using musical instruments such as Oud and Darbouka. In 2010, they became the first Rock band to perform live on national TV.

Their discography consists of five albums: "Apoptosia” (2009), "Restart" (2010), “Aporia’s Bane” (2012), “Square Minds in Round Heads” (2015) and “The Hundredth Monkey” (2017)

This concert is free and open to the general public.
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60,000 BRAZILIAN TOURISTS BY THE END OF THE YEAR?

Morocco hopes to welcome nearly 60,000 Brazilian tourists by the end of 2018, said the director of the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) delegation in Portugal, Abdellatif Achachi

"We expect to welcome nearly 60,000 Brazilian tourists this year, and last year Morocco recorded 45,000 arrivals of Brazilian tourists, which represents a 36% increase over 2016, or 200,000 overnight stays," he said on the occasion of the holding in Sao Paulo of the Week of Morocco, a promotional event aiming at highlighting the richness and the cultural and tourist diversity of the Kingdom.

The event organized by the ONMT at the prestigious Conjunto Nacional shopping centre, made it possible to meet the greatest number of Brazilians to offer them a taste of a thousand-year-old culture.

The number of Brazilian tourists visiting Morocco in the first two months of 2018 has increased by 38% compared to the same period in 2017.

In the opinion of the Moroccan official, the circuit of the imperial cities, that of the thousand Kasbahs, as well as the stays in the desert, mainly in Erfoud, Zagora and Ouarzazate, are the main areas which attracted the Brazilian tourists.

Attributing these good results to strengthening the air link between Brazil and Morocco, Achachi said the two countries are connected by daily flights, with four departures from Sao Paulo and three more from Rio de Janeiro.

In addition, the introduction of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in 2016 by the national carrier Royal Air Maroc has encouraged an exponential growth in the number of arrivals.

The official also welcomed the success of the week of Morocco, organized by the ONMT, from April 27 to May 2, noting that throughout the six days of the event, visitors were able to marvel at the beauty of the Moroccan caftan presented in parade and discover an authentic Moroccan tea ceremony with mint to the rhythms of a typical Moroccan music.

Visitors were also able to discover the beauty of Moroccan crafts, the art of Arabic calligraphy, as well as the charm of the henna tattoo, all proposed on a space of 170m2, dedicated entirely to the culture of the kingdom and to destination Morocco.

For his part, the Moroccan ambassador, Nabil Adghoghi, who made the trip to Sao Paulo, expressed "Morocco's satisfaction with the growing attraction that Moroccan tourism has for Brazilians", pointing out that the figures are "very encouraging"

"The ambition is now to attract more tourists and install the product of Morocco in the programs and activities of major Brazilian tour operators," said the Moroccan diplomat, who took part in a press conference devoted to the week of Morocco.

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FREE PHOTO TUITION IN FEZ

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Ramadan is Coming and Food Prices Rise

Ramadan 2018 is expected to begin on the evening of Tuesday, May 15 and end in the evening of Thursday, June 14. Although it is still a few weeks away, the annual price hikes have begun in the local food souks. Vegetables, seafood or arboriculture, white or red meats and fish are all suffering from soaring prices

Apart from the approach of Ramadan there is no other explanation for this bullish trend is advanced, especially as this year was particularly rainy and good for local agriculture.

Despite assurances given by the authorities in recent weeks about the control of prices and the quality of basic products, they remain particularly expensive two weeks before the start of Ramadan. Even with a good agricultural year, which should have contributed to a decrease, or even a mere stabilisation, the prices of many basic necessities are on the rise.

The daily Al Ahdath Al Magribia has toured the market stalls of Casablanca and reports that vegetables (onions, potatoes, turnips, carrots, tomatoes ...) are currently in a range of 7 to 10 dirhams, while observers announce the start of an inexorable uptrend that will continue until the end of Ramadan.

The same trend applies for fruits, especially those of local production whose supply is abundant and which should have seen their prices fall. However, apple varieties are traded from a minimum price of 10 to 12 dirhams in different markets of the economic capital, while the local banana is accessible at a minimum price of 11 to 13 dirhams, not to mention seasonal fruits of season for which sell for an average of 25 dirhams per kg.

As for meat, they display between 65 and 75 dirhams kg for red meats, while live chicken is currently sold at 16 dirhams per kilo, against 55 dirhams for turkey. Prices of which it is certain, as it happens every year, that they climb from the first week of Ramadan, recalls the newspaper. Indeed, meat and fish, products widely used during Ramadan, in the same way that the grains whose kilo price currently reached 90 dirhams or sesame which varies, according to its category, from 30 to 80 dirhams on the eve of each Ramadan, an increase of 15 to 25% of their prices.

A trend confirmed by the statistics of the High Commission's plan which, in a note of conjuncture relating to price indices, concluded that during the period from February to March 2018, the price of fish and seafood has risen 4.7%, compared to 0.9% for fruit and 0.7% for meat.

The Ministry of the Interior has also undertaken several checks to ensure the consumer, during Ramadan, a quality of products sold and a suitable selling price.

More than 1,000 field visits were carried out, throughout the month of April, by various regional and local control commissions in more than 20,000 large and medium-sized areas, but also in production units, product storage depots food stores, wholesale outlets, and small corner stores. This control led to the detection of nearly 500 infringement cases and the seizure of 300 tonnes of defective food products for sale or in stock.

But this year, the Moroccan citizen can also contribute to this control. Thanks to a national number that will soon be communicated by the Ministry of the Interior, consumers and traders can file a complaint against a sale of food products whose quality is poor or which would display a higher selling price than the market .

"A special commission will be listening to the citizens 24 hours a day and it is only with their help that we can be more vigilant and thus counter those who play with the health of the Moroccan consumer", announces Lahcen Daoudi adding that the commission will make sure to react in less than 48 hours to the complaint.


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