Attar's epic tale explored and analysed

The Canticle of the Birds is the thread running through the 20th Fez Sacred Music Festival. It's a mystical tale that begs to be explored and at the fifth forum, this major work of Persian literature, was debated and analysed

The theme of this years festival is the Conference of the Birds, a theme based on an epic work by the 12th Century poet Farid ud-din Attar. The Canticle of the Birds also provided the story behind the musical journey for the festival's opening night extravaganza.

Leili Anvar spent 15 years discovering the work, it took 4 years to translate the tale into a language French speaker’s could understand. At the Musee Batha earlier today, she described the work as sublime and a masterpiece. Anvar told the discussion group “we have to be seen. Attar teaches this…. to be seen is to be in love… to be in love is to desire to see more and more.”

Attar composed the work using his intuition that he considered a gift from God and an awakening of the spirit. The poem travelled to Europe thanks largely to the ‘caravans of knowledge’ that journeyed during medieval times via the Ottoman Empire to the monasteries, and ended up on the tall lecterns of the knowledgable.

The translation in verse by Leili Anvar reveals the texts symbolic power. There was much discussion about the mirror conceived by Attar. Michael Barry (pictured above) co-authored a book on Attar’s masterpiece with Anvar. He observed the mirror is a shared aspect of Sufism and argued “when we see the mirror we see ourselves – a parcel of reality, humanity examines the mirror which is also a metaphor of divinity.” Barry also raised the 30 birds and the journey through the 7 valleys and the symbolism of this odyssey. He asserted that the birds represent everything that is visible and invisible. “This is the marvellous equation of the Sufi universe. On one side all that we can see, on the other side, the infinite.” Barry argued the epic poem is one of the best introductions to Sufism.

Mustapha Cherif

Moderator and Festival Director, Faouzi Skali

Moderator Faouzi Skali drew the link between the spirituality of Attar’s work with the discussion yesterday that focused on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. It was a thread Algerian philosopher Mustapha Cherif also raised. He told the group the journey of the birds is a voyage of the soul on a spiritual journey. “We have to overcome the suffering of existence. We cannot go to paradise without suffering.” Cherif said he birds symbolise unity and he linked this to the political situation. “It is not only a question of solidarity in relation to Palestinian’s ... we must also be aware that our future depends on that cause.”

Anvar told the group “the more you read Attar’s work the more it is generous and the more you taste its virtues.” There was little doubt the beauty of this epic poem is in the eye of the beholder and more is revealed the more one read’s the tale.

This was the final of this year’s forums and like all the others it started more than half an hour late. This has been a point of irritation for attendees. One observed that the reason for the late start was due to the tardiness of festival director Faouzi Skali. Most days he arrived 30 minutes after the starting time. This is unacceptable at an international festival and needs to be addressed.

Text and photographs: Stephanie Kennedy

 SHARE THIS!

Fes Festival Forums - Does the Middle East need a Mandela?

After criticism not enough women were on the panels of the Fes festival over previous days, today three women and the female moderator outnumbered their male counterparts

Moderator Katherine Marshall presented two different questions for speakers to address at the 4th forum discussion. In French the question translated to “Is a man like Mandela possible in the Middle East?” while in English speakers were asked “What would Mandela tell us today?”

Leila Shahid is a Palestinian diplomat and she strongly rejected the assumption that there are no leaders like Mandela in the Middle East. She pointed out that Yasser Arafat had achieved much during his leadership of the Palestinian movement and said that Arafat moved his people from an armed struggle to a political one as Mandela did.

Amira Hass, Leila Shahid and Simone Bitton

Amira Hass an Israeli writer and journalist insisted that the Palestinian Israeli conflict is different to the South African experience. She said they must distance themselves from any cult of personality, a point Mandela made about himself during his lifetime. She told the forum much can be learned from Mandela pointing out that Mandela demonstrated one could change one’s opinions. In his early days he was pan-African. “He wanted to keep away from non-Africans, but he recognised those that despise oppression were part of the struggle. Indians, Whites, Jews, Christians were all part of the struggle against apartheid.” Hass talked about her own experiences as a Jew who stands against what she described as Israeli apartheid. Her support for the Palestinian cause is rejected by activists because she is Jewish. “If we want to build a common future we have to struggle together.”

The question of boycotting Israel was also raised. Filmmaker Simone Bitton was born in Morocco, the daughter of a Jewish jeweller. She describes herself as an Arab Jew. She urged her colleagues in the film industry to boycott travelling to Israel. She believes to widen the message, films produced by anti-Israelis should be shown in Israel but those behind the lens should boycott the country.

Katherine Marshall and Nabil Ayouch

Franco-Moroccan filmmaker Nabil Ayouch did not share that opinion. He asserted that there needs to be an exchange of views, discussion and debate and urged those from both sides to listen to the other side. Ayouch also questioned whether the Middle East needs another Nelson Mandela. “The Middle East is full of great men.” And he described Mandela as a symbol and argued, “we don’t need symbolism, let’s be pragmatic.”

Zair Kedadouche

Zair Kedadouche, a writer and diplomat. put it succinctly when he simply said “Is Mandela possible in the Middle East? For us, it goes beyond one man.”

Tomorrow morning: Round table: Canticle of the Birds, presentation of the work of Farid Ud-Din Attār

Text and photographs: Stephanie Kennedy

 SHARE THIS!

Fes Festival Forum ~ What does it mean to be Moroccan?

The question of Morocco's complex cultural diversity and what it means to people of different ethnicities was the theme of the 3rd forum at the Batha Museum this morning 

Morocco's Culture Minister Amine Sbihi told the audience that cultural diversity occurred after Independence and national identity is now recognised in the Constitution. The Minister emphasised that cultural diversity does not mean multiculturalism, but is plural and inherent in the democratic right of the country.

Continuing in this theme, Gabon's Culture Minister shared the experience of her country. Ida Reteno outlined the success of cultural diversity in her small country which includes 50 different ethnic groups and 3 major religions.

"All these people of different cultures live in coherence and peace. It is a land of peace and stability."

The Minister stressed that a country's cultural identity does not reject old cultures but rather discovers others, but she acknowledged there are challenges. She pointed out those cultures that hurt the dignity of others must be brought to task and she gave the example of child marriages.

For Morocco, there are challenges too. Sociologist Younes Ajarri described an ethnic mosaic that constitutes the country dating back centuries including Berber tribes, Jews, Arabs, Africans and the Europeans. Ajarri asserted that the past was often full of pain and violence and this must be acknowledged. Ajarri also explained an external diversity that modern Morocco must accept and address. He believes the arrival of people from sub-saharan Africa after Europe closed its doors poses a challenge to Morocco's social fabric.

Academic Salida Bennani warned that the heritage of the country must be linked to national identity. The buildings, the architecture, the medina's and also the artisans, the food and cooking of Morocco. Bennani argued that more money is needed to preserve this aspect of Morocco's culture.

From the floor, writer and journalist Maati Kabbal (pictured above) delivered a robust critique of the forum, asserting that diversity is part of civil society, and he took aim at the Fes Festival. He pointed out that the forum's are held in French and English and he argued that they should be presented in Arabic and Berber. He was also critical that there were no Moroccan women on today's panel.

It was a lively exchange of views with moderator Abdou Hafid engaging the panelists and the audience with insightful humour.

Tomorrow: Peace in the Middle East
Text and photographs: Stephanie Kennedy

SHARE THIS!

Beauty is in Diversity at Fes Festival of World Sacred Music

"On the river in Niger we have an ethnic connection. All races are gathered and the river is the way of managing diversity." Salamatou Sow - Academic

The question of social harmony in plural, multicultural societies is one that has perplexed leaders around the globe for decades. That topic and religious and racial harmony in the face of opposition and oppression was the focus of the second forum at Musee Batha today.

Dena Merriam

The discussion centred on globalisation and its' many challenges. Dena Merriam the founder and convener of the Global Peace Initiative for Women emphasised that while globalisation has brought economic problems, it has brought the world together socially. She said that religions have spread, people have become more spiritual and she used the example that some Christian's have incorporated elements of Hinduism and Buddhism into their religious lives. "We are in a new era of human unity. This is the affect of globalisation and religion will be everywhere." She argued that "we have to go beyond tolerance and go to the appreciation of all religions. We are all equal."

French writer Olivier Germain-Thomas insisted that it is not religion that is the problem. "If we ban religion, evil still exists. There is evil in man. To eliminate evil we must eliminate it from the heart of man."

Manny Ansar and moderator Rachid Arhab

The use of non violent means to oppose oppressive religious regimes was also raised. When religious fundamentalists banned music in Mali, Manny Ansar, the director of the world famous festival, Music in the Desert said it was a shock for him and the public. While those opposed to the new regime did not resort to violence, Manny Ansar told the discussion group they took their music into exile and toured the world, refusing to be silenced.

Ali Benmakhlof, a professor of Arabic philosophy stressed that health and education are intrinsic to social equality, arguing that society cannot progress without these ideals.

Ilari Rantakari

It was a theme supported by Ilari Rantakari, a Finnish diplomat who warned against the populist movements that are on the rise in Europe. He argued that through education there needs to be an effort to remove the ignorance of religion in Europe but equally the Islamic world needs to understand and accept diversity.

A point all speakers agreed on was that social harmony on a global scale will succeed through respect for others beliefs.

Text & photographs Stephanie Kennedy

Tomorrow at the Fes Festival (Monday June 16)

Fez Forum at 9 at Batha Museum:  Giving Soul to Globalisation. Managing diversity 

Batha Museum 4pm: Bardic Divas - Kazakstan, Uzbekistan
Nights in the Medina 8pm &10pm Dar Adiyel: Wang Li and Amazigh poets
Dar Mokri 8pm & 10pm St Ephraim Choir - Hungry
Dar Batha 8pm &10pm  Majlis Trio - France
Batha Museum 9pm Altan - Ireland
Festival in the City 4pm: Jnan Sbil Garden: Women's orchestra of Fez
Festival in the City 6.30pm Bab Boujloud Square: Luzmila Carpio
Sufi Night at Dar Tazi 11pm:  Saqalia Brotherhood of Fez with Haj Mohammed Bennis
Tomorrow's Weather:  Cooler - Max 32 degrees Celsius (89.8 Fahrenheit) 
Fez Medina Map

The View from Fez is an official media partner of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music

 SHARE THIS!

First Fez Forum: Giving Soul to Globalisation

"Giving Soul to Globalisation. Our Era and Challenge: Culture and Identity - Mandela's spiritual legacy - Lessons for our Era"

The Festival’s first forum opened to the high-pitched bird sounds of Bolivia’s Luzmila Carpio as the Musee Bartha became an aviary. Her songs transported the crowd to the sky above as the local bird life responded to her calls. The short performance ended with the singer using her shawl like wings to soar with the birds she obviously loves. This enchanting performance of respect between Luzmila Carpio and the wildlife she imitates set the scene for the first of the Festival’s forums.

Luzmila Carpio channelling the local birdlife 

The title for this year’s forums is Our Era of Transition and Challenge: Culture and Identity. Today’s discussion focused on the lessons and legacies of Mandela and speakers included France’s former Culture and Education Minister Jack Lang who has written a book about Mandela.

France’s former Culture and Education Minister Jack Lang with Faouzi Skali

Mr Lang highlighted Mandela’s non-violent attitude towards South Africa’s previous apartheid regimes moving his country forward through reconciliation.

He told the audience “Culture for Mandela was an instrument of freedom and liberation. He used this to conquer disunity”

Bariza Khiari

This theme was also reflected in Bariza Khiari’s address. The Vice President of the French Senate told the forum Mandela forgave his jailers giving him spiritual ease. She said this is the Sufi way and that is the heart of Islam.

“To forgive is not to forget. To forgive is to refuse that evil dominates us. Forgiveness is an act of freedom and allows us to get out of the spiral of violence.”

Out of this discussion came a message for those nation's in the region that are experiencing dramatic change. The key to freedom is forgiveness not violence.

 Sunday’s Forum will focus on Social harmony in plural, multicultural societies and what we have learned.

Instant translation is available

Text: Stephanie Kennedy
Photographs: Sandy McCutcheon

Tomorrow at the Fes Festival (Sunday June 15)

Fez Forum at 9 at Batha Museum:  Giving Soul to Globalisation. Culture and Identity 

Batha Museum 4pm: Luzmila Carpio - Bolivia
Bab Al Makina 9pm: Youssou Ndour & Johnny Clegg
Festival in the City 4pm: Jnan Sbil Garden: Songs of the Aisawa Sufi Brotherhood
Festival in the City 10.30pm: Musa Dieng Kala / Jil Jilala
Sufi Night at Dar Tazi 11pm:  Brotherhood of the Darkaouia Zaouia (lodge), Essaouira
Tomorrow's Weather:  Max 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 Fahrenheit) 
Fez Medina Map

The View from Fez is an official media partner of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music

SHARE THIS!

Fes Forum - Session Four - Seeking Meaning and Inspiration in the Legacies of Andalusia

The theme of the fourth and closing session of the Fes Forum 2013 was Fes - seeking meaning and inspiration in the legacies of Andalusia: linking development to its cultural heritage and its present

The session began with a reflective few minutes of Andalusian music. Under the spreading branches of the barbary oak tree, in the beautiful Islamic garden of Musee Batha, the soothing sounds from the Al Firdaus Ensemble evoked the mythical medieval golden age of Andalusia.

In a land called Al-Andalus, when a Muslim caliphate ruled parts of Spain, Portugal, Andorra and France, from 711 to 1492, was considered a time when Muslims, Christians and Jews lived in relative harmony. There was a flourishing of the sciences, arts, philosophy and culture. The theme of this year's Fes Festival, Andalusia, draws parallels with contemporary Fes and looks for new ways of encouraging tolerance and pluralism.

"Here in Fez we have culture and music. We are in the spirit of Andalusia," said socio-linguist, Professor Salamatou Sow, from Nigeria.

The first speaker, Ali Benmakhlouf, spoke of the echoes of Andalusia that can be found in today's Fez, from street and family names, to the crafts of artisans such as embroiderers. "It's the transmission of a memory," he said.

Doctor of Persian Literature, Leili Anvar, from France and Iran, said, "We have a strong desire to re-visit the golden period of Andalusia, knowing that it's a myth. However, it existed, but mostly in poetry...Poetry is truly the heart of a culture. Without poetry, we cannot find ourselves."

However, other speakers such as Princeton University Professor Michael Barry reminded us that there is a danger of indulging in nostalgia. "15th century Andalusia was a laboratory of authoritarianism," he said. "We must not forget that there was racism, and there was slavery."

Director of the Institute of Islamic Culture in France, Veronique Rieffel, said it was important not to romanticise the past at the expense of the present, and that contemporary Islamic culture was equally important. "I have observed that there is a denial, (the West) is ill at ease with Muslim identity," she said. "We need to have not just a nostalgic vision of the past, but to maintain an ongoing dialogue."

Story and photos Suzanna Clarke

See Fes Forum Session One, including Katherine Marshall's summary HERE.

See Fes Forum Session Two, including Katherine Marshall's summary HERE. 

See Fes Forum Session Three, including Katherine Marshall's summary HERE.

SHARE THIS!

Fes Forum ~ First Session honours the Memory of Aimé Césaire

The French Minister of Justice, Christiane Taubira, received a standing ovation for her speech at the first session of the Forum de Fes 

A dynamic and eloquent speaker, Christiane Taubira spoke without notes for more than half an hour on the French poet, author and politician, Aimé Césaire, and the importance of his work today. She spoke of Césaire's upbringing in Martinique, where he was born in 1913; the development of his humanism and humanitarianism and his fight for justice - not only for the slaves of former French colonies, but for all minorities whose voices were stifled.

"The world is dangerous, as those who are dominant seek to destroy diversity," Ms Taubira said. 

Her speech was part of the opening session in a series of four at the Fes Forum; part of the 19th Fes Festival of World Sacred Music at the Musée Batha. This year's theme is New Andalusia: local solutions for global disorder.  Speakers who preceded and followed spoke of how ancient Andalusia offered a model of religious and cultural co-existence - and a new version of that was needed now to maintain cultural diversity.

Ms Taubira said Césaire's view was that it is fractures between human beings that produce injustice. "Césaire was a rebel who never considered himself separate from others," she said. "He said, 'I am nothing but a man. The true treasure is the person who is open to his or her world.'"

Césaire's writings strongly denounce European colonial racism and hypocrisy. He wrote nine books of poetry, four plays and four works of non-fiction. As well as being an outspoken critic and advocate, he was mayor of Fort-de-France in Martinique and one of the principal drafters of the 1946 law on departmentalizing former colonies. He died in 2008.

Summary: Contemporary Challenges for Diverse and Plural Societies (also honoring the memory of the poet Aimée Césaire).

by Professor Katherine Marshall

Speakers:
Faouzi Skali, Mohamed Kabbaj, Mohamed Amine Sbihi, Minister of Culture, Morocco
Abdou Hafidi, introducing Christiane Taubira, Minister of Justice, France
Assia Alaoui Bensalah, Roland Cayrol, Mustapha Cherif, Elisabeth Guigou, Bariza Khiari
Edgar Morin

The opening morning on June 8 was remarkable for its wide array of people and ideas.

It began with formal welcomes that touched the history and hopes for this unique Forum. Our hosts linked the Forum theme of diversity, not only to the joys and beauty of diverse experiences and people but to its vital role in society and for the planet. The idealized memory of the Andalusian centuries is at the core of this Festival because diverse cultures not only met there, but interacted and created ideas and art that have endured across the ages. An important legacy is the tradition of Fes, which in its very foundation was to be a place dedicated to peace and spirituality, the two linked through culture. The theme of Andalous, Faouzi Skali highlighted, was the common theme, the fil conducteur, of the opening spectacle Friday night. It evoked an appeal to a collective imagination, a call to recreate and regain the spiritual inspiration behind those centuries. The memory is linked to the lasting beauty of human creations - like the Batha Bardens which are Andalusian in character), appreciation of the natural world (the magnificent Barbary oak that crowns our work and houses the birds which offer a constant musical theme), and a wealth of music and poetry. This history is a reminder of the mystery of creation. The theme and thus the Forum are thus intellectual but also deeply spiritual: religion, Faouzi emphasized, is about love, of God and of man, spiritual, passionate, mystical, secret, generous. It must never be an instrument for oppression or repression. Turning this ideal into practical reality is the Forum’s goal.

French Minister Christiane Taubira then led the Forum through a masterful historical journey evoked by the memory of Aimée Césaire on this 100th anniversary of his birth. She introduced us to his worlds, the special ambiance of the Caribbean islands where races mingled and both creativity and prejudice put down long roots and the colonial empires of a century ago. Cesaire had many incarnations, as politician, poet, educator, activist, intellectual. Taubira then traveled through the long 20th century of wars, global shifts, personalities, hopes, and disappointments, rebellion and love. She reminded us of this diversity of history with poetry and politics, and even song, bringing us into Cesaire’s story of how the aspirations of peoples, through the movement of Negritude, came to life not as something negative or isolated but as something positive. Two special themes ran through her story as the spinal chord of his life and legacy: the power that pride in identity can bring, and the absolutely vital role of education as the path for emancipation.

Turning then to the panel and Forum, Edgar Morin set the theme for the day with his sharp statement that unity and diversity are in fact inseparable, yet present us with a paradox with which we must struggle constantly. Humankind is inextricably linked by genetics, physiognomy, biology, and life cycles, yet each individual, even an identical twin, is distinct. The same applies for cultures and societies. Efforts to ignore the other, to close them off, lead to disaster. Morin stressed that this fundamental paradox is at the heart of democracy’s role in assuring both the will of the majority and the absolute protection of the voice and interests of minorities. The paradox is not abstract, as Assia Alaoui Bensalah reminded us: the more people know others and are enmeshed in a global culture, the more fiercely they desire difference and recognition of their individuality and seek its affirmation. It colors the politics of this region today, and of global politics as well as the life of each individual.

This conflicting pull presents both challenges and dangers. Raymond Cayrol sobered the Forum with reminders that diversity and acceptance of others cannot be taken for granted. Even among educated and enlightened peoples, as those of Europe, intolerance is strong. Polling data show a constant and unnerving strand of deep seated prejudice, by race, religion, and class. He termed it an incredible prejudice, and it presents us with a constant battle.

This tension, the fundamental paradox, is evoked in the debates about the clash of civilizations, more properly described as a clash of ignorance. We were led through an alphabet of images and ideas, all pointing to the wisdom of balance, the importance of openness to ideas, and the gift of diversity. The story of the Tower of Babel, often seen in a negative light, we were advised, should be seen not as it is commonly told, a disaster of jumbled languages and cultures, but as a parable of the virtues and joys of a diversity as they are transmitted beyond the tower.

The discussion yesterday was in many ways a rich conversation along a Moroccan French axis, a family discussion among people who see different parts of the whole but within a common historical framework and with many ideals and experiences in common. It evoked ancient and contemporary debates about integration and common values, human rights and the rights of man, struggles for equality and balance, among nationalities, genders, and religions. It touched on the respective roles and responsibilities of the individual (to understand himself first) and of the state.

The discussion also began to explore how these broader struggles over common values versus diversity mirrored in struggles within the rich diversity of Muslim societies. We were reminded that this is no light subject and it colors contemporary politics in the region. It is a topic that demands careful and deep common reflection. But several speakers framed a clear message: the Festival of Fes, and the city of Fes and its people are the face of a true Islam, a faith that is grounded not in a rigid order but in a profound and often mystical faith, an Islam that is marked by its qualities of openness, questioning, love of ideas, complexity, and a constant search for love and meaning.

So, yesterday turned on the fundamental question of why we should care so deeply about cultural and religious diversity? The answer lies in the looming fear that global forces, however rich the benefits and opportunities, bring real and imminent threats. Three dangers were linked. As instant communications link cultures with the speed of a sound byte there are powerful pressures to homogenize. The moves towards single cultural styles and icons evokes strong reactions, both to accept and celebrate this universal norm, and to reject it entirely, retreating within fortresses of culture and religion. And the imbalance of power among nations and the hegemony of a dominant power and culture threaten to stifle and obscure the richness of diverse cultures and histories. The paradox of unity intertwined with diversity is the Forum’s challenge as we move to the second day, whose challenge is the powerful engine of business, markets, and economics.

Fes Forum on Sunday June 9 at 9 AM at Musée Batha

Theme: Can financial markets be made to work in harmony for the global good? 

SHARE THIS!

Fes Festival - Forum Report

The Fes Forum gives voice to the issues surrounding the Fes Festival. This year the theme was Giving a Soul to Globalization, and the five days of colloquia were well attended.

While the first day's discussion, titled The poet and the city, highlighted not just the beauty but the power of words in leading a society through the turmoils and crises of life, but also how beauty allows man to become more self-aware and ethical.

"The poet is someone who describes and looks at the world," said Frederic Ferney, a French writer and essayist. "He is someone who introduces a place of beauty in life ... The poet is someone who forces us to say, 'Yes, this is the power of words and literature. Yes to life. And yes to the moment,' because we live in a world where the idea of beauty is possible".

Day two's forum, The future after the Arab Spring, got down to the more political and hard-hitting. Moderated by Abdou Hafidi, the discussion was fast-paced, ranging from Morocco to France, Syria to the United States. It covered raw party politics, religion, social forces, and culture. Panelists, including Bariza Khiari vice president of the French Senate, discussed themes including a new pride in openness - the need to debate fundamental issues with honesty and without fear; looming questions about the role of religion and Islam and the central importance of women in emerging societies and any debate about the future.

The discussion on Day Three, Business and spirituality, centered on the connection between ethics and spirituality.

"Spirituality offers the answer that ethics can be universal," declared panelist Jean François de Lavision. "We must create a sense of spirituality between the stakeholders and the world". Other key issues raised included cultivating a society for youth that successfully bridges the contradiction between these two ideas, as well as the importance of creating a business model that appreciates the spiritual contexts of different cultures and situations around the world.

Day four's Financial crisis or civilizational crisis? focused on the fundamental nature of today's crises (and indeed there are many). The inherently oppositional relationship of capitalism and markets, on the one hand, and spirituality and what is best in humankind on the other, is what the crisis in civilization is about.

Tariq Ramadan, Swiss academic and professor at Oxford University, launched into this debate by urging the crowd to consider the inherent relationship that exists between the two concepts.

"When we talk about the financial and the economical concerns...we are faced with the fact that we must deal with humans and the philosophy of life," said Ramadan.

For Ramadan, to understand the root of a financial crisis, we must first focus on analyzing man's daily practices, as well as his intellectual and social involvements. This will help provide a proper framework for recognizing the different ways and forms from which a crisis is born.

The last day's talk was a wide ranging discussion on Towards a Strategy for Civilisation, with panellists including Younès Ajarraï, Ismaël Alaoui, Touria Bouabid and Henri Joyeux.

Giving everyone a lift at the end of some intense sessions was a talk on the significance of birds in the Islamic world. Michael Barry, Professor in Persian at Princeton University, discussed his new book Visions of the Bird of Wonder, co-authored with French professor, Leili Anvar.

One of the major points that Barry made focused on how the bird represents the soul's aspiration to move to and be closer to God. Additionally, its ability for flight represents the soul's desire to aspire to a higher sense of self.

Grappling with the big issues, debates, spirited exchanges and the occasional laugh all contributed to making the Fes Forum a valuable experience for those who attended.

AN IN-DEPTH REPORT ON EACH SESSION IS COMING SOON - WATCH THIS SPACE! 

SHARE THIS!

Fes Forums - Visions of the Bird of Wonder

This afternoon, in the cool of an air conditioned conference room at Palais Jamaï, Michael Barry gave a presentation on his book, Visions of the Bird of Wonder, reports Vivian Nguyen.

Alpine swift above Fez

Visions of the Bird of Wonder is co-authored with French professor, Leili Anvar, who was not present for the lecture.

The book focuses on how the image of the bird has travelled across religious and figurative borders, and is based on the work of Shaykh Fari Attâr's Canticle of the Birds to Saint Francis of Assisi's Canticle of the World's Creatures.

Barry, (pictured, left), who is American-born and French-educated, is a professor in Persian at Princeton University. He presented images from the book in a slideshow, while explaining the bird's significance in a series of Persian miniature paintings.

He first explained how the image of the bird in Persian texts was linked to the Christian tradition, but also to the Buddhist and Hindu religions as well.

Barry also put a few myths to rest in regard to the Taliban's ban on girls attending school by showing images featuring schoolgirls in 18th century Afghanistan. Contrary to popular opinion, he also emphasised that the images were important to Muslim culture not only in Asia, but also in the Shia tradition which is dominant in Iran, as well as the orthodox Sunni Islamic tradition as well.

One of the major points that Barry made focused on how the bird represents the soul's aspiration to move to and be closer to God. Additionally, its ability for flight represents the soul's desire to aspire to a higher sense of self.

This sentiment of the bird is a universal one, he said. The bird also adopted a male and female form in Barry's work, representing different aspects of divinity. Often, the bird represented the female form.

Overall, Barry wowed his audience with erudition and beauty, and kept the crowd spellbound for two hours. Outside on the terrace of the Palais Jamaï, the birds did not seem to be listening to the lecture, but rather, were singing.

Barry's lecture was a great example of how the Festival is not just about music or debates, but also serves as a great site for art exhibitions and history, showcasing beauty in all its forms in the Muslim world.

For more information about the lecture, please visit www.fesfestival.com.

Waddick Doyle contributed to this report.

SHARE THIS!

Fes Forums - Day four

Faouzi Skali, Director General of the Spirit of Fes Foundation, with academic Tariq Ramadan

Much like yesterday's Forum discussion on the contradictory yet complementary relationship between business and spirituality, today's Forum topic Financial crisis or civilizational crisis? focused on the fundamental nature of today's crises (and indeed there are many). The inherently oppositional relationship of capitalism and markets, on the one hand, and spirituality and what is best in humankind on the other, is what the crisis in civilization is about, reports Vivian Nguyen. 

Tariq Ramadan, Swiss academic and professor at Oxford University, launched into this debate by urging the crowd to consider the inherent relationship that exists between the two concepts.

"When we talk about the financial and the economical concerns...we are faced with the fact that we must deal with humans and the philosophy of life," said Ramadan.

For Ramadan, to understand the root of a financial crisis, we must first focus on analyzing man's daily practices, as well as his intellectual and social involvements. This will help provide a proper framework for recognizing the different ways and forms from which a crisis is born.

Ramadan was also critical of the Muslim world, which he claims is not currently producing thinkers who have considered financial, social, or human alternatives to address financial and civilization crises.

A reform, or an alternative to consider these issues, must be adopted, he says. One alternative Ramadan posed was the teaching and reflection of the humanism of faith as a core part of all educational curricula.

"I think we should integrate religion, not ritual, into the philosophy of man," said Ramadan. "Religion doesn't mean we pray at certain times of the day as we do in Islam, but defining man — who he is. Man should know who he is".

Today's other panelists, Assia Alaoui Bensalah, Bensalem Himmich, Pierre Laffitte, Katherine Marshall, and Patrick Viveret, provided an additional framework to consider the issues that Ramadan posed, as well as offering their own indicators to evaluate financial and civilizational crises, such as through new technology or one's own happiness.

While today marks the final day of the Forum, there will be a lecture from Michael Barry and Leila Anvar, as presented by Saad Khiari, at Palais Jamaï tomorrow afternoon at 15h00. For more information, please visit www.fesfestival.com.

See also: Vivian's reports
Fes Forums Day One
Fes Forums Day Two
Fes Forums Day Three

FÈS FESTIVAL QUICK LIST

Festival Programme
Festival in the City
Sufi Nights
Festival Forums
Festival Eating Guide
Art during the Festival #1
Art during the Festival #2
The Enchanted Gardens of Fez
Last Minute Accommodation

SHARE THIS!

Fes Forums - Day three

As is always the case, The Fes Festival Forums are a hugely popular part of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music. They are well attended and the debates continue, long after each session closes. Vivian Nguyen reports from day three of the forums.  

Jean-François de Lavison and Katherine Marshall

Écoute. Tolerance. Humilité. Individu. Questionnement. Universel. Example.

For Jean-François de Lavison, each of these words represent part of an acronym of what constitutes the essence of l'éthique—the French word for ethic.

During today's Forum discussion at the Batha Museum titled, "Business and spirituality," de Lavison, who is the president of Ahimsa Partners, centered his argument on the connection between ethics and spirituality.

"Spirituality offers the answer that ethics can be universal. ... We must create a sense of spirituality between the stakeholders and the world".

Ethics, he claims, create a link between the spiritual and business worlds, which in turn offers a new perspective on the role spirituality plays in defining the ethnical and business self.

Other key issues de Lavison raised include cultivating a society for youth that successfully bridges the contradiction between these two ideas, as well as the importance of creating a business model that appreciates the spiritual contexts of different cultures and situations around the world.

"Bridging the world is important. ... We need to grasp the context for working in certain countries. What works in one country does not necessarily work in another. These are the initiatives that can work. We have give meaning to what we do".

In addition to de Lavison, today's other speakers featured Patrick Viveret, Marc De Smedt, Katherine Marshall, Mohamed Kabbaj, and Henri Joyeux.

Katherine Marshall

Marshall, who is an American professor at Georgetown University in the U.S., elaborated on her argument during the Forum break by reflecting on how the business world and the religious sphere have conflicting, often negative opinions of the other side. There are, however, many people who operate and straddle the bridges between these two sectors.

This is the conversation that Marshall believes society should be having in regard to the contentious relationship between business and spirituality. She noted that economic growth by itself simply does not offer a sufficient answer to the question of how to meet a society's needs. There is much questing today for real and practical new models to address social and economic demands of today.

"Clearly, there is a very wide recognition that there is too much consumption in our world," said Marshall.

Earlier in the Forum, the Sanskrit word ahimsa played a pivotal role in discussion among today's participants. The term asks one to act kind and have respect for others, as well as to refrain from violence.

This notion of ahimsa was also embedded in Marshall's response about the ways spirituality could help redefine business practices in the future.

"Moderation of resources will be key moving forward ... what we want is equity, above all so that poor people can have true access to the benefits of our globalized world, without human consumption literally destroying the earth. It is simply unacceptable to suggest that the poor should wait or should be deprived of opportunities because of our concerns about climate change and carbon emissions. We simply must find better ways."

Marshall's words, much like de Lavison's, offer new ways to understand and redefine the ways that spirituality and the ethical self will continue to challenge business ideologies in today's current economic turmoil.

Tomorrow's Forum, titled "Financial crisis or civilization crisis?" will be sure to build from the current conversation between business and spirituality as well as the ethical self. The discussion will take place at 09h00 at the Batha Museum. For more information, please visit www.fesfestival.com.

Reporting for The View from Fez - Vivian Nguyen


See also: Vivian's reports from
Fes Forums Day One
Fes Forums Day Two


FÈS FESTIVAL QUICK LIST

Festival Programme
Festival in the City
Sufi Nights
Festival Forums
Festival Eating Guide
Art during the Festival #1
Art during the Festival #2
The Enchanted Gardens of Fez
Last Minute Accommodation

SHARE THIS!

Fès Festival Forums - Day Two

Bariza Khiari sat in the shade of the large Barbary Oak at the Batha Museum this morning as the second day of the Fez Forums launched into today's discussion titled, "The future after the Arab Spring". Vivian Nguyen reports for The View from Fez.

Khiari, who is the vice president of the French Senate, wore an all-white ensemble. The tranquility of her outfit reflected her cool yet calm commentary on the necessity for Muslim societies to retain their grasp on cultural and religious values.

"What is the future of the Arab Spring?" Khiari posed to the audience. "It will require Muslims to retrieve and reconnect themselves with the veritable, traditional Islam that focuses on the family ... and to avoid trying to look for models that are too Western".

In stark contrast with her earlier proclamations against Western values, Khiari's words also urged for a move to establish a more modern woman in Muslim society.

"I regret to say in Morocco that there are not many women who participate in the social sphere, and it's not a good image that Morocco can show. ... There cannot be democracy without the redefinition of the position of women".

Khiari also continued to argue for a move towards democracy in Muslim societies.

"I defend a free, spiritual Islam. I defend democracy. We cannot continue with [improving] societal issues without considering the economy, employment, and well-being of a good governance".

It was clear that Khiari was critically examining both the positive and negative impacts of the Arab Spring, but it remained unclear which perspective she identified with the most.

Fellow panelists, Habib Belkouchi-Driss, El Yazami-Véronique, Rieffel Abdou Hafidi, as well as panel discussers, Amal Arfaoui, Patrice Brodeur, Maati Kabbal, and Gunnar Stalsett, also reflected on the impact of the Arab Spring in transforming the international identity of Muslim societies.

While the panel did a fair job in considering the meaning and impact of the Arab Spring, it did not offer a thorough enough argument on what these uprisings necessarily mean for the future.

Faouzi Skalli - photo: Philip Murphy

When approached for an interview post-Forum discussion, Faouzi Skalli, Director General of the Spirit of Fès Foundation, noted the importance of adopting a more "spiritual democracy" that will preserve the human rights of all Muslims in light of the Arab Spring.

This, Skalli insists, will be the responsibility of the people. Enlightening non-Muslim people about this perspective will also play a vital role in encouraging new ways to consider Muslim identity.

"This Festival, this debate for example ... are all creating a view for people to understand the ways our society is changing. We must start on a small scale, with concrete examples [like the Arab Spring], and from there, continue to introduce new views about. It is our responsibility to do this".

Much like the argument he made, Skalli's words offered food for thought in considering the different perspectives presented on both the Western and Muslim understandings of the Arab Spring.

Tomorrow's panel, titled "Spirituality and business" will occur at 09h00 at the Batha Museum, and will be the third day in the Fez Forum series. For more information, please visit www.fesfestival.com.

Reporting for The View from Fez - Vivian Nguyen

See also: Vivian's reports
Fes Forums Day One
Fes Forums Day Two
Fes Forums Day Three

FÈS FESTIVAL QUICK LIST

Festival Programme
Festival in the City
Sufi Nights
Festival Forums
Festival Eating Guide
Art during the Festival #1
Art during the Festival #2
The Enchanted Gardens of Fez
Last Minute Accommodation

SHARE THIS!

Fès Festival Forums - Day One

Joining The View From Fez team to cover the Fes Forums is Vivian Nguyen.

Vivian is a Master Of Arts in Global Communications student at the American University of Paris. Originally from Seattle, she is visiting Fez as one of eight students who aim to practice their skills in blogging, writing and film editing.

"I am particularly interested in the intellectual debate that surrounds the Muslim religion and Fez itself," says Vivian. "A lot of the topics of the Fes Forums focus on how modernity is permeating the traditional culture of Morocco. There is a lot of critical discussion going on."

Topics the Fes Forums will explore include Sunday's session on "The future after the Arab Spring" and Tuesday's on "Financial crisis or civilisational crisis?"

The forums are held at from Saturday to Wednesday at 9.30 am at the Batha Museum, with an additional Wednesday session at 3pm in the Seminar Room at Palais Jamai. More information about the forums is here: Fès Forums

FÈS FORUM - THE POET AND THE CITY
Taking part: Leili Anvar, Edgar Morin, Salamatou Sow, Bertrand Vergely.
“Arguers”: Younès Ajarraï, Saida Bennani, Frederic Ferney, Simon Xavier Guerrand Hermès.

The Fes Forums are always well attended

VIVIAN'S REPORT

Bertrand Vergely

French philosopher and theologian, Bertrand Vergely stood proud at the glass podium before an audience of international Festival goers at the Batha Museum. His hands gestured passionately in the air as he regaled the audience with his intellectual thought on the essence of beauty.

"Why do we live?" asked Vergely. "We live because it is beautiful. Beauty is the reason of the world".

This notion of beauty played a focal point in today's Forum--a series of philosophical discussions and debates concerning ideological, political, and social topics centered around the Forum's theme of Giving a Soul to Globalization. The Forum will run for five days during the run of the Festival.

Today's discussion, titled "The poet and the city", highlighted not just the beauty but the power of words in leading a society through the turmoils and crises of life, as well as understanding how beauty allows man to become a more self-aware, knowledgable, and moral person.

After Vergely finished speaking, the panel opened up to a discussion among today's discussers: Younès Ajarraï, Saida Bennani, Frederic Ferney, Simon Xavier Guerrand-Hermès, Leili Anvar, and Salamatou Sow. These discussers, whom hail across a variety of disciplines, responded to Vergely's thought by offering their own opinion to the discussion.

"The poet is someone who describes and looks at the world," said Ferney, a French writer and essayist, reflecting on the responsibility of the poet to society.

"He is someone who introduces a place of beauty in life ... The poet is someone who forces us to say, 'Yes, this is the power of words and literature. Yes to life. And yes to the moment,' because we live in a world where the idea of beauty is possible".

Faouzi Skalli, Director General of the Spirit of Fès Foundation, also hosted the panel. He offered his own commentary to the panel, claiming that the poet also serves as a reminder to preserve the essence of the self.

"I think there is a notion that people have forgotten the notion of the self ... So, the question of the self is important especially when poetic expression is happening".

Hèrmes also built off of this thought by discussing the power and transformation of literature in terms of personal identity. "Wisdom and knowledge is useless unless you can transform this knowledge into something useful to the self," said Hèrmes. Words, he claims, must be made tangible in order to reclaim and understand the self.

It was a powerful conclusion to the first day of the Forum and continued to build off of the Festival's overall theme to Re-enchant the world through the beauty and power of words.

Discussion went on well after the session - Photo Vivian Nguyen

Tomorrow's panel is titled, "The future after the Arab spring," and will begin at 09h00 at the Batha Museum. For more information about the Forum, please visit www.fesfestival.com.

See also: Vivian's reports
Fes Forums Day One
Fes Forums Day Two
Fes Forums Day Three

FÈS FESTIVAL QUICK LIST

Festival Programme
Festival in the City
Sufi Nights
Festival Forums
Festival Eating Guide
Art during the Festival #1
Art during the Festival #2
The Enchanted Gardens of Fez
Last Minute Accommodation

SHARE THIS!