Should Chefchaouen be blue or white?

The city of Chefchaouen, which is famous for its streets painted in blue from indigo or "nila", is experiencing a debate on its visual identity, between those who are committed to the colour "blue" and those who are for "The return to the white colour"

In the midst of this uncertainty, most of the opinions, expressed through social networks, line up behind the indigo blue colour of the city walls, considering that this colour is the identity of the city, which became famous at the time. nationally and internationally and has contributed to the promotion of tourism and the local economy.

Thanks to its current identity, the Blue Pearl has become one of the most important tourist destinations in the world. Tourists from the world of art and literature are attracted by its narrow streets, which have provided an original setting for many TV programs, films and documentaries.

The inhabitants of this city, located in the mountains of the Rif, remember that at least 30 years ago, the facades of the houses were painted white and softened by the addition of a little indigo (blue), so that the reflection of the light on the white walls did not dazzle the eyes of the inhabitants, who were anxious to take care of the facades and to clean its alleys.

If Chefchaouen or Chaouen became famous in recent years for its indigo blue colour, which earned it the title of "The Blue Pearl", it has, thanks to its potential tourists become an "international brand" attracting thousands of visitors Moroccans and foreigners throughout the year, contributing to the growth of the local economy.

In a statement the scenographer Rafika Ben Mimoun said that the debate over the colour of the city divides the lovers of the city, believing that all points of view must be respected and that a debate "should be open in all the cities of Morocco to endow them with a visual identity."

"The colour blue has helped attract the filming of many cinematographic and television works in the city," said the scenographer, who worked as artistic director in the series "Bnat Lalla Mennana", explaining that "it was easy for example, to convince the technical staff to turn all the episodes of the series to Chefchaouen, because the blue colour facilitates the external shooting in the alleys, unlike the white ".

Between white and blue, the inhabitants of Chefchaouen found themselves in the middle of a debate where the tastes and desires were confronted to try to create a new visual identity of a city which has become famous, thanks to the singularity of its houses Andalusian blue style.


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