tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378834882024-03-08T01:50:49.461+01:00The View from Morocco<center><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1759/1777/1600/401844/Essaouria.jpg">
<br><br></center><br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15056882414512099956noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-66910526768843683562013-08-19T10:25:00.002+01:002013-08-19T10:25:48.213+01:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Although Moroccans have an official currency - the dirham - they also have an informal currency - the riyal and so, buying vegetables or fruit in a Moroccan souk can sometimes be extremely confusing, even for people who have spent a lot of time in the country and understand the local language </span></b></blockquote>
<b>You see a sign saying (for example) pomegranates are 15 dirhams a kilo. You ask for a kilo and the store holder says that will be 300! What he has done is quote the price in riyals, rather than dirhams. The fact that riyals don't actually exist anymore is not important, but that people think in them. To make matters more confusing, you can also be told a price in francs.</b>
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<b>Matthew Schumann, a Fulbright Scholar, explains the system.</b><br />
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There are two currency systems used in Morocco. One is that of the dirham, the official Moroccan currency that is printed on bills and coins. The other currency is the riyal, an old Moroccan currency which is no longer exists, but is still used by Moroccans to value purchases both small and large. 1 dirham is equal to 20 riyals.
In other words, the riyal is to the dirham, as the nickel is to the dollar.<br />
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Only, imagine that nickels no longer existed in reality, but stayed in our minds as a way to describe the prices of things. So, the money in your pocket would be dollars, and you would use dollars to buy everything, but you think of prices in nickels.
Understanding the relationship between dirhams and riyals is key to making sense of Morocco's marketplaces. Knowing that sometimes the prices you hear are riyals and not dirhams can save you both money and frustration.<br />
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<b>If the riyal were American...</b><br />
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Imagine that when you go to the store, the prices are listed in dollars but in your head you value everything in nickel. When you see the label on a $3.50 gallon of milk you think, "That's worth 70 nickels". In your mind, a $4.00 loaf of bread is 80 nickels.
At the mall, you ask a clerk how much a pair of jeans is worth. He tells you it's 600 nickels and you check the tag which reads $30. Every month your cell phone bill is 1600 nickels and your gym membership costs 1000 nickels. You got a great price on your new Prius, only paying 440,000 nickels. You live in Colorado and can't believe that your friends in pay 36,000 nickels a month for a 1 bedroom apartment in Brooklyn.
This is exactly how the riyal exists alongside the dirham in Morocco, and they are used in such a way in some of the same situations described above.<br />
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<b>When riyals are used instead of dirhams:</b><br />
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Buying fruits, vegetables and other foods in the souq, especially foods sold by the kilo. For example, while the price of potatoes might be listed on a sign as 6 dirhams a kilo, the vendor may state the price as 120 riyals.
Buying used clothing and other used goods in the souq. Walking through a used clothing market you frequently hear prices in the hundreds. A pair of jeans might be 600, a sweater 400. But those are riyals not dirhams.<br />
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For small purchases whose totals are less than a dirham or include change. For example instead of saying something is 1.50 dirhams one would say 30 riyals.
For apartment rent and other similar big purchases. Moroccans will describe their rent in the tens of thousands of riyals. 20,000 a month is 1000 dirhams, 40,000 is 2,000 dirhams. Sometimes these values are abbreviated to
Buying from or selling to illiterate or uneducated people. At least 40% of Moroccan cannot read or write. They still use paper money and coins but cannot understand their printed value in dirhams and rather understand them in their riyal value.
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<b>When riyals are not used:</b><br />
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</b> Supermarkets and other 'fancy' stores do not use riyals. Supermarkets have to be precise with their pricing and will give change down to the centeme, the equivalent of a penny. Boutiques and touristy stores will also use dirhams.
Taxi meters are in dirhams and the decimals are centemes. Taxi fares are always rounded up or down to the nearest dirham.
Any price in a newspaper or magazine, or in an advertisement will be in dirhams.<br />
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Real Estate purchases, if not described in riyals, is also described in centemes. So it's not uncommon to hear prices in the millions and tens of millions. If a price sounds too high, convert it into either riyals or centemes, and ask for clarification.<br />
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<b>How to convert riyals to dirhams and vice versa</b><br />
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To go from dirhams to riyals multiply by 20, and to go from riyals to dirhams divide by 20.
This video features Moroccans describing the prices of various goods in riyals. Watching this video will help you to familiarize yourself with the riyal and will give you an opportunity to practice convert between riyals and dirhams in your head.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/aSJa8YIwFJc?rel=0" width="640"></iframe><br />
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Want to learn more about Morocco and Moroccan Arabic? Click here for a list of <a href="http://bit.ly/16AsLqt">Moroccan Arabic lessons.</a><br />
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<b>Matt Schumann is a Fulbright, English Teacher at the S.M. Ben-Abdellah University in Fes, Morocco. He is a graduate of Rice University . He worked as the Editor in Chief and Publisher of the the Rice Standard magazine. He is familiar with the world of journalism and online media and writes on current issues.</b><br />
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<b><i>Reposted with permission: <a href="http://www.moroccoboard.com/viewpoint-5/367-matt-schumann">More from Matt here</a></i></b><br />
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The View From Fezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02018157780015101840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-54361951294160637172013-07-11T11:30:00.001+00:002013-07-11T11:30:27.289+00:00Moroccan News Update <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />A round up of the week's news including Ramadan TV programming</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Arabic Programme to Relocate From Egypt to Morocco</span></b><br />
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The Arabic Overseas Flagship Program is relocating from Alexandria, Egypt to Meknes, having determined that restrictions in place to ensure students’ safety were undermining opportunities for informal language and cultural learning.<br />
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The unrest in Egypt looks set to continue for some time and with the fatal stabbing of an American college student in Alexandria the U.S. State Department has warned against non-essential travel to Egypt in light of the growing political and social unrest, prompting universities to reevaluate their study abroad programs there.<br />
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Dan Davidson, the president of the American Councils for International Education, which administers the program, said, “In recent days, it had become clear that in order to guarantee the safety of our students in Egypt, it had become necessary to establish curfews and limitations on their movements including escort and shuttle arrangements to and from classes at the university,. This means that the students were essentially having to give up many of the kinds of informal language contacts and cultural exploration that overseas immersion study is designed to provide,”<br />
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The program's Egyptian partner institution, Alexandria University, will be transferring some of its language teachers to Morocco to continue working with students.<br />
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The year long Arabic Overseas Flagship Program began in early June and involves 18 students from five U.S. universities. The Flagship language programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Defense’s National Security Education Program.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">American Schools and Universities in Morocco to be Licensed</span></b><br />
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The Moroccan press is reporting that the Moroccan Prime Minister, Abdelilah Benkirane, is about to "tighten the screws" on American schools operating in Morocco.<br />
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Abdelilah Benkirane's government will finalise a Moroccan-American draft convention, that will lay out strict regulations on the operation in Morocco of schools and American universities.<br />
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation will bring the draft convention forward for debate in government. Under the terms of the agreement, the Ministry would give licenses to American schools American universities with no religious curriculum, and that avoid Christian proselytizing activities even in a subliminal way.<br />
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American schools will also be required to provide compulsory courses on the languages, cultures and history of Morocco. To do this they will be required to employ Moroccan teachers authorized by the Moroccan Ministry of National Education, and subject to inspections.<br />
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The annual holiday schedule will not be defined by only American holidays, but must also include all Moroccan national and religious holidays.<br />
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A pure Arabic prayer room will be required in all institutions. According of the terms of this new draft Moroccan-American agreement, the tuition in these schools must be paid by the parents of Moroccan students in Dirhams and not Dollars.<br />
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There will also be strict guidelines about the teaching of Moroccan geography with a special requirement that the American institutions must use complete maps of Morocco and not ones with the area of Moroccan Sahara amputated. The comes at a time when there is pressure on both Google Maps and Facebook to correct their maps to include the Sahara. To this end there is also an <a href="http://www.avaaz.org/fr/petition/La_correction_de_la_carte_national_du_Maroc/?ahedzdb">online petition</a>.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2HHwyleItjQtwMzJ_64k_sdZbb-oibczcscXr6G6LOJTu_mJ6Fegbm2dAw7gPXL36qn5b1LqrYDV2EpMZppMfCDHUBiZ6h-gR4laLpyoNDUNbPCroqXnX0GZ0huWdBQakKxPJA/s1600/Moroccan+Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2HHwyleItjQtwMzJ_64k_sdZbb-oibczcscXr6G6LOJTu_mJ6Fegbm2dAw7gPXL36qn5b1LqrYDV2EpMZppMfCDHUBiZ6h-gR4laLpyoNDUNbPCroqXnX0GZ0huWdBQakKxPJA/s640/Moroccan+Map.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A map of Morocco - "Correct and intact"</span></i></td></tr>
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The correction of maps is deemed very important for the defense, protection and respect of Morocco’s territorial integrity and complies with the article 38 of the constitution which states that “all citizens contribute to the defense of the country and its territorial integrity against any aggression or threat.”<br />
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The activists behind this cause, which was launched on June 29th, seek to attain 1,000,000 signatures. They also call on all Moroccan internet users to upload the official, correct and intact map of Morocco on all digital platforms on the internet so that it can become a reference in all major search engines.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Acts of bravery in Marrakech explosions</span></b><br />
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This week a series of explosions occurred in Marrakech's Azli district when a truck loaded with butane gas canisters caught fire. Several sources have indicated that the truck driver and his helper were carrying dozens of gas tanks for distribution to retail merchants during a period of extremely high temperature.<br />
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They noticed their mirrors that a gas canisters was smoking and may have caught fire. The situation was very dangerous because a huge and deadly explosion could have taken place at any moment.<br />
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However, by mutual agreement, the driver and his mate decided to drive the truck as far as possible, to avoid the inhabited parts of Azli neighborhood. At the risk of their lives, the two men remained in the truck their until they reached an empty area. Just as they arrived in an open area the gas cylinders began to explode causing a huge "mushroom of fire". Fortunately the men were not injured and there were no other casualties.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Morocco cleans up its highways</span></b><br />
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The National Motorway Authority of Morocco (ADM) have announced that by 2015 all highways will be equipped with recycling platforms in 2015 (WMD). The first equipment for selective waste collection has already begun to be deployed.<br />
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On the outskirts of motorways and service areas, the amount of waste collected each year is 3,000 tons, said the ADM in a statement, noting that this amount includes several categories of recyclable waste, including bottles water, soda cans, paper and cardboard.<br />
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A trial by ADM was implemented in January 2013 with the building of an ecological platform for sorting and compaction of waste collected on the outskirts of the Rabat to Larache highway. The first results from this site showed a positive impact on waste management with the recycling of a significant part of the waste products.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Art Culture and Ramadan TV</span></b><br />
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As in previous years, the three main channels of Moroccan television have placed their bets on comedy to fill their programming of Ramadan.<br />
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Al Aoula's latest announcement includes three comedy series for the sacred month: <i>Rass Rass lmahyen</i> starring Kamal Kadimi and Ilham Ouaziz, <i>Danya Hanya</i> which tells "the story of four young roommates from different cultures starting their working lives in Casablanca", and <i>Hniya, M'barek and Messoud</i>.<br />
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For his part, 2M announces the return with great fanfare a "dynamic duo" comic for the month of Ramadan. This is Khadija Assad and her husband Aziz Saadallah. Both actors will star in a new sitcom entitled <i>Dour biha chibani ago</i>. Another couple will also be featured on the small screen through a series of 30 episodes of 3 minutes each. Hassan El Fad and Dounia Boutazout will interpret a "couple" like no other.<br />
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The <i>Bnat Lalla Mennana,</i> an adaptation of the theatrical play <i>The House of Bernarda Alba</i> by Federico Garcia Lorca, will return for a second season. With its success in 2012, the series will again take viewers in the heart of Chefchaouen and its famous little blue houses.<br />
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Médi1 TV offers Adil Imam, the 73 year old Egyptian actor, who plays the lead role of <i>Al Arraf</i> series. He will be "accompanied by other Egyptian stars such as Hassan and Hussein Fahmi Houssni in the comic role of a crook and fugitive from justice in Egypt today."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;"><i>Adil Imam</i></span></td></tr>
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Adil Imam said the new series, written by Youssef Maati and directed by Rami Imam again, belongs to the Comedy genre, where he plays the role of a sharper, who goes to jail but escapes following January revolution, and motivated by the chaotic situation the country falls in, he decides to run for presidency. Like all his previous works, <i>Al-Arraf</i> is characterised by its sarcastic nature especially when highlighting corruption in the political system.<br />
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The Médil channel will also air a new season of <i>Lyam Deret. </i>The Moroccan series is described as "a more intense dramatic intrigue and mysterious."<br />
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The political strife in Cairo has cause major problems for the production of Egyptian soaps. Dalal Hamza, a producer at the Egyptian Radio and Television Union, says the number of Ramadan TV series has fallen from 55 last year to 23 this season.<br />
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The total cost of production cost this year was 900 million Egyptian pounds ($128 million) while last year it reached close to $1.5 billion pounds ($213.6 million).<br />
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Production conditions "are surrounded by lots of problems, especially the general financial crisis and decline in advertising, as well as the security situation that hinders filming, which has prompted the industry to rely heavily on studio filming", she said.<br />
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Hamza said the costliest series this year is <i>Al-Arraf</i>, with production costs soaring to 50 million pounds ($7.1 million).<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Morocco will delay price rises until after Ramadan </span></b><br />
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The shelving of planned deregulation of prices for some subsidized products until after Ramadan follows controversy over its announcement of the move before the Muslim fasting month when millions of Moroccans spend heavily.<br />
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The Moroccan government, under pressure from the International Monetary Fund, is seeking to cut back on subsidies that burned up 53.36 billion dirhams of public money in 2012 or 6.4 pct of Morocco's GDP.<br />
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But the reforms also mean pain for households used to subsidized oil, gas, sugar and other staple goods.<br />
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"We will launch the automatic price adjustment after Ramadan," Finance Minister Nizar Baraka told Reuters. "We will announce the exact day after the sacred month taking into consideration the commodity prices in the international markets."<br />
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General Affairs and Governance Minister Mohamed Najib Boulif said last week that the government would start automatic price adjustment within weeks for fuel - except cooking gas - and sugar.<br />
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The government expects the shift to cut spending on subsidies by 20 percent, to 42 billion dirhams ($5 billion) or less. That is within the limit fixed by the 2013 budget, which is based on an oil price of $105.<br />
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Boulif noted that if oil prices were lower than $105 then Moroccans would wind up paying less than if the subsidy scheme had been left in place.<br />
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"The adjustment will be in both directions. When (oil) prices are less than $105, that will let Moroccans consider that it is not necessarily a bad thing," he argued last week.<br />
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The government, however, may also set a different pricing regime of diesel fuel to protect the transportation sector and avoid a snowball effect on prices.<br />
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"We are considering how to set a different pricing regime for diesel used in the transport of people and goods, but it is in discussions and not yet decided," Transport Minister Abdelaziz Rebbah told Reuters earlier this week.<br />
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That may sharply reduce the savings for the government as the transport sector burns up around 65 percent of the national consumption of oil, according to ministry figures.<br />
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A junior party is threathening to quit the governing coalition unless Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane moderated plans for the sweeping cuts. Benkirane, backed by the IMF to the tune of $6.2 billion under a precautionary credit line agreed last year, insists the reforms will go ahead.<br />
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The View From Fezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02018157780015101840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-26379337789455049272013-07-09T15:11:00.001+00:002013-07-09T15:11:14.511+00:00Ramadan In Morocco 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Ramadan 1434 will begin on Wednesday in Morocco. In a statement the government said that the crescent moon announcing Ramadan, could not be observed on Monday and therefore July 10th will be the first day of fasting.</span></b><br />
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Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and observing the fast is one of the five pillars of Islam, with the profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving and pilgrimage.<br />
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Fasting, which lasts 29 to 30 days, begins at dawn and ends at sunset. Fasting also means abstaining from drinking, smoking or have sex during daylight hours.<br />
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This year - year of the Hegira 1434 - Ramadan is expected to end on the 8th or 9th of August in Morocco, the day when Muslims celebrate Eid Al Fitr.<br />
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Arab Gulf states and Egypt have agreed with Morocco and announced that the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan will start Wednesday.<br />
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“Nobody has reported having seen the moon of the new lunar month this evening, so it was decided to consider Tuesday, tomorrow, as the complementary day of the current month of Shaaban and that Wednesday will be the first day of Ramadan,” the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.<br />
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A billion and a half Muslims globally are anticipating the beginning of the month-long fast, according to Reuters.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiY3ykCzIv3WiQxpRSsMxfYrwrfDco9f91lVT7MI_xPPTkaLBSrlupe8K01RH7TLf0dY7URW9813LKFs8vPZDCdfxtgDyy_qDwsV2VIlFajbxDzTs5yC1ZAH_jPdnKxmj4TdwYoQ/s1200/Ramadan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiY3ykCzIv3WiQxpRSsMxfYrwrfDco9f91lVT7MI_xPPTkaLBSrlupe8K01RH7TLf0dY7URW9813LKFs8vPZDCdfxtgDyy_qDwsV2VIlFajbxDzTs5yC1ZAH_jPdnKxmj4TdwYoQ/s640/Ramadan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;">Ramadan kareem - Ramadan Mubarak</span></i></b></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15056882414512099956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-35694682878881538722013-07-07T04:57:00.002+00:002013-07-07T04:57:58.067+00:00Barbary Lions May Come Back to Morocco's Atlas Mountains<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Barbary lion (<i>Panthera leo leo</i>), also known as the Atlas lion is a subspecies of lion that became extinct in the wild in the 20th century. Its former habitat range was in North Africa encompassing the region from Morocco to Egypt. And over the last few years there have been growing calls for the reintroduction of the Babrary lion to the wild in Morocco.</span></b></blockquote>
What makes this extraordinary is that there are many scientists who believe the lion is extinct. Yet others claim there are 90 lions alive in zoos including 35 in Rabat.
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The Moroccan Ministry of Water and Forests had raised the matter in 2000, with the growing awareness of the danger threatening this species.
The reintroduction of the Atlas lions in their natural sphere is deemed a long-term project that would necessitate both significant human and financial efforts to achieve it.
The former popularity of the Barbary Lion as a zoo animal provides the only hope to ever see it again in the wild in North Africa. Many zoos provide mating programmes, which will help to increase the population of the species.
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After years of research into the science of the Barbary Lion and stories of surviving examples, WildLink International, in collaboration with Oxford University, launched their ambitious International Barbary Lion Project.
Oxford used the very latest DNA techniques to identify the DNA 'fingerprint' of the Barbary Lion subspecies. Researchers took bone samples from remains of Barbary Lions in museums across Europe.<br />
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These samples were returned to Oxford University where the science team extracted the DNA sequence which identified the Barbary as a separate subspecies.
Although the Barbary may be extinct, and is certainly extinct in the wild, WildLink International looked to identify a handful of lions in captivity around the world that may be descended from the original Barbary Lion.<br />
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These descendants were to be tested against the DNA fingerprint and the degree of any hybridization (from crossbreeding) can then be determined. The best candidates were to then enter a selective breeding programme slated to 'breed back' the Barbary Lion.<br />
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The final phase of the project intended to see the lions released into a National Park in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.<br />
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As of March 2010, two alleged barbary lion cubs have been moved to 'The Texas Zoo' in Victoria, Texas where efforts are being made to preserve the endangered species under the WildLink International conservation programme.<br />
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In Morocco a protected area of 10,000 hectares has allegedly been defined in a sparsely populated area in order to build this ambitious project.<br />
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As recently as last week La Vie Eco was writing that "Moroccan civil society has been mobilized recently in support of the kingdom’s mountain lions". There is reportedly an internet a petition circulating calling for the reintroduction of the atlas lions to their natural environment, which proponents say is Morocco’s Atlas mountains.<br />
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The main sources of natural prey for the predators of the Atlas Mountains were Barbary Stag and gazelle. Another particular favorite, and somewhat easier target, were the herds of cows and sheep kept by man. The method of hunting was never documented, but it is believed that they used the same death by strangulation method as do the other big cats of the world.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15056882414512099956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-14244960964052522922013-07-07T03:44:00.000+00:002013-07-07T03:44:34.458+00:00New Creative Director for the Jardin Marjorelle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Stephen di Renza is a man described as having "feline chic". While that may be true, there is a lot more to the man who has just been appointed Creative Director of one of Marrakech's main attractions - the Jardin Majorelle.</span></b></blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Stephen di Renza in Fez</span></i></td></tr>
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Like most New York intellectuals of his generation, Stephen di Renza studied Derrida and Lyotard as well as Warhol and the punk bands playing at Max’s Kansas City. After a B.A. in film study at NYU, the Philadelphia-born di Renza started out as a photo stylist for Interview magazine, did a stint as an industrial designer, and acted as fashion director for Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.
In Paris he made his name as the Artistic Director for Dunhill where his style was described as "chic by subtraction". In Dunhill's Heritage Store di Renza mixed vintage pieces, modern re-editions and contemporary art.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Stephen in Paris </span></i> Photo : Vincent Lappartient</td></tr>
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A long sojourn in Paris was followed by a move to Fez and the creation of Riad 9 and Resto 7.
Last year Di Renza met entrepreneur Pierre Bergé. "I really respect the people behind the Jardin Majorelle," Stephen says.<br />
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The respect was obviously mutual and he clearly left a favourable impression with Bergé, who revived the fortunes of the Jardin Majorelle with his late partner Yves St Laurent. Recently di Renza received the job offer as Creative Director of what is one of the top attractions in Marrakech.<br />
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For a man with Stephen's considerable talents, it is, as he describes it. "a dream role". "I'm going to be creating all new products made in Morocco," he told The View from Fez. "I'm looking to combine modern Morocco with international savoir faire."<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Majorelle Garden</span></b><br />
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Majorelle is a twelve-acre botanical garden and artist's landscape garden in Marrakech. It was designed by the expatriate French artist Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s and 1930s, during the colonial period when Morocco was a protectorate of France.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Majorelle Gardens - photo: Suzanna Clarke</td></tr>
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Majorelle was the son of the Art Nouveau ébéniste of Nancy, Louis Majorelle. Though Majorelle's gentlemanly Orientalist watercolors are largely forgotten today (many are preserved in the villa's collection), the two and a half acre garden he created is his creative masterpiece.<br />
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The special shade of bold cobalt blue which he used extensively in the garden and its buildings is named after him, <i>bleu Majorelle</i> — Majorelle Blue.
The garden hosts more than 15 bird species that are endemic to North Africa. It has many fountains, and a notable collection of cacti. It has been open to the public since 1947.<br />
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Since 1980 the garden has been owned by the late Yves Saint-Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé.
After Yves Saint Laurent died in 2008 his ashes were scattered in the Majorelle Garden.
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The garden also houses the Islamic Art Museum of Marrakech, whose collection includes North African textiles from Saint-Laurent's personal collection as well as ceramics, jewelry, and paintings by Majorelle.<br />
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The View From Fezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02018157780015101840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-83520178196024273752013-06-19T15:10:00.004+01:002013-06-19T15:10:42.718+01:00Fes Festival of World Sacred Music 2013 - the Wrap Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The 19th edition of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music is over. Here is a retrospective look at what many are describing as one of the best festivals so far. Picking favourites and highlights is often a difficult task, but this year audiences and reviewers alike had very similar choices.</span></b></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwWmbX00UlS2Kd54d5L5kLU1gxprSR8CtRWsA_vpBVEHEcjeIrrgYQ2X3CVWskBaCT1yrrFJkPhITdg8BIlQrezfS3Wruah7l_p7FvSqvlu5N3QCL-oU41ycGgZFwLB4npHK1IQ/s1600/Bab+Makina+%234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwWmbX00UlS2Kd54d5L5kLU1gxprSR8CtRWsA_vpBVEHEcjeIrrgYQ2X3CVWskBaCT1yrrFJkPhITdg8BIlQrezfS3Wruah7l_p7FvSqvlu5N3QCL-oU41ycGgZFwLB4npHK1IQ/s640/Bab+Makina+%234.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The opening night spectacle (<a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/fes-festival-of-world-sacred-music-2013_7.html">see review here)</a> was the presentation of the premier of <i>Love Is My Religion</i>, which is best is described as Andalusia recreated through poetry, dance and music. It was everything an opening night performance should be and one of the best to date.<br />
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The performance, directed by Andrés Marín, featured more than thirty Arabo-Andalusian, Sufi, Amazigh and Spanish flamenco artists and included: Andrés Marín, dance, Carmen Linares, vocals, Amina Alaoui, vocals, Cherifa, vocals and Samira Kaderi, vocals. The music co-ordination was by Aziz Al Achab.<br />
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Right from the beginning, with the Andres Marin's display of passionate flamenco, the audience knew they were in for something special. Marin, unaccompanied, moved across the stage, taut and birdlike. Soon he was joined by a haunting clarinet until the piece built ultimately to include ouds, drums and cellos. He moved with core muscles braced and back arched, his heels mimicking the clatter of horse’s hooves.
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However, the highlight for many was the appearance of Amazigh singer Cherifa (pictured above). As she entered the stage, flanked by Arab artist Bahaa Ronda and Spanish singer Carmen Linares, some of the crowd broke into ululations of appreciation. Cherifa opened her mouth and the energy in the air crackled, her deeply evocative voice raising goosebumps on one’s skin. Cherifa's command of her art produced an eerily primal sound that seemed both ancient and timeless.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Sufi Nights with the Hamadcha Brotherhood</span></i></td></tr>
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Along with Cherifa's opening night performance the most widely talked about concerts were those by Paco de Lucía, the Mongolian Sardinian Fusion, <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/fes-festival-nights-in-medina-part-two.html">El Gusto</a>, Fado singer <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/fes-festival-nights-in-medina-part-three.html">Ana Moura</a> and <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/patti-smith-closes-fes-sacred-music.html">Patti Smith.</a> Among the local Moroccans, the <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/syrias-assala-nasri-draws-huge-crowd-at.html">Assala Nasri</a>'s concert was a huge hit. At the Sufi Nights at Dar Tazi, the local <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-fez-hamadcha-at-fes-festival-of.html">Hamadcha Brotherhood </a>were overwhelming favourites.
The free concerts in the Festival in the City series was again extremely popular, with favourites being (unsurprisingly) the <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/hamadcha-sufi-brotherhood-and-dj-click.html">Hamadcha and Dj ClicK</a> and, Nass L'Ghiwan and Hamid el Kasri.
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Paco de Lucía's appearance was a highlight in many ways, not just the maestro's extraordinarily passionate guitar work, but also due to the superb performances by singer Juan Rafael Cortés Santiago, known as Duquende and flamenco dancer Antonio Fernández Montoya, known as “Farruco”. (<a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/paco-de-lucia-legendary-flamenco.html">See review here</a>)
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There were many performances at the festival this year that combined music from different traditions some, like the Indian/baroque concert were only mildly successful, but the standout was the afternoon at the Batha museum that featured the polyphonic work of the Sardinian Cuncordu E Tenore de Orosei and diphonic Mongolian khöömii chanting from singers Ts Tsogtgerel and Nergui Ganzorig of Mongolia.<br />
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At first glance the pairing looked like a recipe for disaster, but the reality was wonderful. It was, as one reviewer put it, as if the tectonic plates had shifted. Asia's Altai and Gobi Desert crashed into the mountains of Sardinia, producing a culture shock with Fez at the epicentre.<br />
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The Mongolians remarkable ability to depict landscape was matched by the Sardinians. The Mongolians evoked the sound of horses galloping over the windswept steppes while the Sardinians polyphony took the audience soaring over peaks, plateaus and into valleys. Their crystal clear harmonies combined to produce a soudscape greater than its individual parts. Then, when they came together in a huddle, the Mongolian overtone chanting became the solid drone base for a new landscape of steppes and, somewhere in the musical distance, the mountain peaks. Unforgettable. (<a href="http://nomadic%20voices%20of%20the%20steppes%20and%20mountains%20at%20fes%20festival/">See review here</a>)
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Probably one of ther most poignant moments in the festival was when, with a tear running down her cheek, <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/aicha-redouane-and-amazigh-tradition-at.html">Aïcha Redouane</a> sang (pictured above) for the first time in her own language (Amazigh) in her own country.
And then, of course there was the triumph that was Patti. (<a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/patti-smith-closes-fes-sacred-music.html">See our review here</a>)
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Behind the Scenes</span></b><br />
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The programming of this festival was seen by most people as being an extremely good mix of music and culture with virtually no exceptions. The Nights in the Medina evenings worked well apart from the usual complaints about the bad sight-lines at Dar Mokri. Hopefully a better venue can be found for the next festival. Security and signage was more than adequate.
The Sufi Nights were very well attended as were the Festival in the City events.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A village in the Upper Nile comes to life at Batha</span></i></td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Congratulations to Festival Director Faouzi Skali and Artistic Director Alain Weber. Weber also deserves congratulations for his production of the extraordinary performance of <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/fes-festival-nights-in-medina-part-one.html">"At the Heart of the Nile"</a> by Sheikh Hamid Hossein Ahmad and Sheikh Ghanan from the village of Deir in the Upper Nile.</b></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBHfb9R34YlruIm9gD0dy8waZKX9Al6mCOgcjZP8x5gakzuDe3apEeUew3FFub4K9LFzQST2jRe8XGi6FrdeBCr9eL3NvJHq34IL4PbO3P9vhBdITY72CQb90HBlkRcoO_y7VvA/s1600/Alain+Weber.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBHfb9R34YlruIm9gD0dy8waZKX9Al6mCOgcjZP8x5gakzuDe3apEeUew3FFub4K9LFzQST2jRe8XGi6FrdeBCr9eL3NvJHq34IL4PbO3P9vhBdITY72CQb90HBlkRcoO_y7VvA/s640/Alain+Weber.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Alain Weber</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Faouzi Skali </span></i></td></tr>
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The pre-festival organisation this year was far better organised, with information available well in advance. For journalists the often last minute confusion over press passes was gone, replaced with a smooth and efficient system. Tribute has to be paid to Spirit of Fes Foundation Press Officer Eziza Sid'Ahmed.<br />
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Set against this good preparatory work was the once again over zealous attitude of security personel who seemed to have little appreciation that the international journalists had a job to do and that their reporting is a key to the success of future festivals. It may be worthwhile for the festival organisers to consider doing what many other festivals do and hold "friendliness" training sessions for security so that their attitude is more about how they can help you rather than hinder.
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Another source of complaint was the location of the media centre. Having it out at the Zalagh Parc Hotel far from where people were gathered for concerts, was simply wrong. Hopefully the same mistake will not be repeated next year. Having a press centre either at or near Dar Tazi would be far more logical.<br />
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The overbooking of venues needs urgent attention as the crush of people at both major venues was on several evenings,way over capacity to the point where the situation was potentially dangerous. The availability of hundreds of cheap "sponsors' tickets" being sold outside the Bab Al Makina also needs curtailing.<br />
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Thanks to Helen Ranger, the English language translations on line were of immense value to visitors and journalists alike. However, the festival still needs to come to terms with the fact that English is either the first or second language of a large number of visitors to the festival and that handing out information in French alone is of limited value. As a Swedish visitor told <i>The View from Fez</i>, "We don't expect a Swedish translation, but English is our second language and if the festival expects to be appreciated it must provide far more material in English."<br />
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At one event half the audience left after discovering that no English translator was on hand.
At the forum sessions at the Batha Museum, the English language translators were a mixed bunch. Some did a superb job while others were barely comprehensible.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Gurus of lighting and sound </span>- <span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Christophe Olivier and Chris Ekers </span></i></td></tr>
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This year the lighting and sound were in the capable hands of Christophe Olivier and Chris Ekers respectively whose sterling work enhanced all the concerts. Each year the technical demands of musicians grow in complexity and as Chris Ekers pointed out they are now at the upper limits of what their equipment can deliver. In one case this year an extra monitor desk needed to be brought in for El Gusto.<br />
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Chris Ekers made the observation that the festival has become more mainstream. His highlights? "<a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/nomadic-voices-of-steppes-and-mountains.html">Mongolians and Sardinians,</a> the <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/fes-festival-nights-in-medina-part-one.html">Upper Nile Egyptians</a> were fabulous. Assri was good but commercial and walked off stage at the end and the band had to come to a grinding halt! Plano at the last Batha concert was superb. The fact so many concerts were fusions of cultures is a good sign. <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/fes-festival-nights-in-medina-part-three.html">Ana Mouro</a> had a fabulous voice but not great stagecraft."<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The View from Fez Team have their say</span></b>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>This year <i>The View from Fez</i> was fortunate to have to services of a talented team of writers and photographers: Vanessa Bonnin, Suzanna Clarke, Natasha Christov, Gabe Monson, Stephanie Clifford-Smith, Nouri Verghese, and Inga Meladze</b>.</blockquote>
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<b>Stephanie Clifford-Smith</b><br />
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As a first time visitor to the festival the overall experience has been great. The standard of the acts was remarkable and the sound at every venue spot on. Highlights included the lovely fado singer <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/fes-festival-nights-in-medina-part-three.html">Ana Moura </a>in the Musee Bartha, the venue dimly lit to emulate a fado house. The final concert, Patti Smith, at the Bab al Makina was brilliant because, fan or not, she’s an icon who performed graciously and gave it her all.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Ana Moura</span></i></td></tr>
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Many performances were sheer fun for both audiences and performers and these were favourites. <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-art-of-mauritanian-griots-on.html">Coubane Mint Ely Warakane</a> from Mauritania and <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/lo-cor-de-la-plana-eclectic-raucous-and.html">Lo Còr de la Plana</a> from Marseilles spring immediately to mind but off the scale in the fun stakes was the <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/bill-dickens-and-ladysmith-chicago.html">Ladysmith Chicago Gospel Experience.</a> Nothing’s going to get this atheist turning to God but, Jesus, that style of Christian worship is a blast!
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Lowlights can mostly be tracked to festival admin and over zealous security. A scheduling clash saw quite a few people walk out of the Samira Kadiri concert to get to their next gig, the mini exodus beyond awkward in a venue as small as Dar Mokri.<br />
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Cameramen yakking at the Musee Batha during the Upper Nile Sufi night made it impossible for those at the back to hear the act. And security thinking their job was to make it as tough as possible to get into venues for the first few nights of the festival was frankly a pain. But, hey, on balance the gripes were small potatoes in the eight days that were a fabulous Fez festival.
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<b>Natasha Christov</b><br />
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Flamenco sensation Andres Marin and Moroccan singer Cherifa, both performing at the Opening Concert, were definite Festival highlights; Marin's precision in the execution of complex flamenco movements was astounding, and Cherifa's earthy vocals simply incomparable. Anthropologically, Syrian popstar <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/syrias-assala-nasri-draws-huge-crowd-at.html">Assala Nasri</a>'s concert at an overbooked Bab Al Makina was eye-opening, with glamoured-up locals arriving in droves to belt out Nasri's hits.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;"><i>Andres Marin</i></span></td></tr>
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One major gripe at this year's Festival was its embarrassingly poor organisation. Overbooked venues left ticket-holders unable to attend, time and venue changes barely publicised left performers without an audience, and disorganised security meant attendees were at times confined to an area only to be banished from it.
In addition, it is worth mentioning the lack of world focus at this "world music" festival.<br />
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Concert synopses, workshop lectures and major press conferences were all in French, ostracising a large contingent of foreign visitors and locals (the two main languages spoken in Fes are Darija and Fusha).
Thankfully, the free concerts were another story. A definite highlight was southern Moroccan group Tariqa Hassania had the audience on their feet dancing, clapping and singing to the world language; music.<br />
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<b>Gabe Monson</b><br />
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Writing and photographing the free evening concerts at Place Boujloud led to some different perspectives than in my previous media role at the Fes Festival, recording sound.
I began to pay more attention to what I saw, as well as what I heard. Tired from late nights and deadlines I became more sensitive to how the environment of the events, as well as the music, could invigorate or irritate, inspire or sooth.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjuj1dWI3VKWplq4bZIr_HXGxr8E_Emt3LusHmGeaM_DA9qtWNDaGRJyJGCaU1AHXY05KDr_DU6jKro6bA-hoKl0wurQFGfrEOML7Kaw2R-HgBBX_lWhb5OhtaBwl0v-jz89oUQ/s1600/Hamid+Kasri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjuj1dWI3VKWplq4bZIr_HXGxr8E_Emt3LusHmGeaM_DA9qtWNDaGRJyJGCaU1AHXY05KDr_DU6jKro6bA-hoKl0wurQFGfrEOML7Kaw2R-HgBBX_lWhb5OhtaBwl0v-jz89oUQ/s640/Hamid+Kasri.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Hamid el Kasri</span></i></td></tr>
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My week was bookended with invigoration. Firstly by the warmth of Mauritanian griot (storyteller) <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-art-of-mauritanian-griots-on.html">Coumbane Mint Ely Warakane</a> at the Batha Museum, supported by her ‘blue birds from heaven’ singers and sensitive male musicians.<br />
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Finally, by the brilliantly arranged high energy Gnawa-jazz fusion group led by Karim Ziad and Hamid Kasri at Place Boujloud.<br />
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Batha Museum itself was a soothing highlight, particularly one restorative afternoon mid-Festival, lying under the ancient wood and cascading foliage of its centrepiece tree drifting to the delicate music of Fado singer <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/fes-festival-nights-in-medina-part-three.html">Ana Moura</a>’s band.<br />
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Lebanese chanteuse <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/lebanese-singer-brings-armenian-syriac.html">Abeer Nehme </a>was inspiringly graceful both in voice and manner; <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/abeer-nehme-and-ali-alaoui-festival-in.html">Ali Alaoui</a>’s Andalucian orchestra inspired smiles and dance.<br />
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What was irritating to me may have been wonderful for others, so I’ll leave those bits of grit behind and instead congratulate the often unsung heroes of events- the sound and lighting crews. Their work in the challenging space of Boujloud was outstanding; clearly mixing diverse instruments and creatively shaping tableaux of shifting colour, texture and movement within the cavernous stage.<br />
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<b>Vanessa Bonnin</b><br />
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There were many highlights for me this year, and they all stemmed from the brave and innovative collaborations between musicians and performers.
It seemed that every second performance was a premiere, or a new fusion that brought together diverse styles that when combined produced something even greater than the sum of their parts.<br />
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The first time this grabbed me was the <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/nomadic-voices-of-steppes-and-mountains.html">Sardinian</a> tenors singing with the <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/nomadic-voices-of-steppes-and-mountains.html">Mongolians</a> - a delightful and joyous performance. Then, the addition of a stupendous young flamenco dancer to the <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/paco-de-lucia-legendary-flamenco.html">Paco de Lucia show</a> - de Lucia was a marvel but it was Farruco who we were all still talking about a week later.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEoAgX8I4JCr8QuK1EXbfWnePsaPOCc9jnmP9uHWg527kcPU8fkKMNmqsBUJseqIacCPDT3IrAo0HvmwoUxh6-cxPCFqZGwTzI5uYt7pEdsWORPy3NdkOzc_7Vkmp21tpmJf2yQ/s1600/Gospel+in+Fez.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEoAgX8I4JCr8QuK1EXbfWnePsaPOCc9jnmP9uHWg527kcPU8fkKMNmqsBUJseqIacCPDT3IrAo0HvmwoUxh6-cxPCFqZGwTzI5uYt7pEdsWORPy3NdkOzc_7Vkmp21tpmJf2yQ/s640/Gospel+in+Fez.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Mind blowing gospel!</span></i></td></tr>
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<a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/fes-festival-nights-in-medina-part-two.html">Birds on a Wire</a> - the new collaboration between Rosemary Standley and Dom La Nena - was another marvellous performance infused with talent and humour, and then the feel-good tour de force of the <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/bill-dickens-and-ladysmith-chicago.html">Ladysmith Chicago Gospel</a> experience who blew my mind with their energy and enthusiasm.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XqdEwxxA9MZmfEd2iOO_AIrDLPzRDUgXUAdDA-0kN81h_uR3gpbhC_VYYq3KWGPUnHbiF5Y7XzwM8eRTaMvgB5e8YVUk9yu25HMXca1WDMzE-oUIQRWLOvZD5z26o4TMnQmHtQ/s1600/Patti+Smth+in+Fez+%238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XqdEwxxA9MZmfEd2iOO_AIrDLPzRDUgXUAdDA-0kN81h_uR3gpbhC_VYYq3KWGPUnHbiF5Y7XzwM8eRTaMvgB5e8YVUk9yu25HMXca1WDMzE-oUIQRWLOvZD5z26o4TMnQmHtQ/s640/Patti+Smth+in+Fez+%238.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Patti Smith in Fez - the ultimate concert</span></i></td></tr>
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<a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/06/patti-smith-closes-fes-sacred-music.html">Patti Smith's</a> concert was the ultimate for me - a full-on rock concert in Fes! - but again, it was the collaboration between her and the audience that made this performance so special. The crowd plays a huge role in the success of a show and this was poignantly demonstrated when the people of Fes stood up and responded to Patti's powerful call for freedom.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4HzX-uouhSCDqcZ2gEdnqCA8ZTjsrZFT-wuMhNzJVnQ6gB6aAmbnRRZQr69ypRyFSqcgveHMyvnUMlu6KF2dJjVAq5QsqwSk1jLgHWGsEOFeCigr0rHBwxCdiYHmAF5o9mJ4xw/s1600/Nouri+and+Inga+%231+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4HzX-uouhSCDqcZ2gEdnqCA8ZTjsrZFT-wuMhNzJVnQ6gB6aAmbnRRZQr69ypRyFSqcgveHMyvnUMlu6KF2dJjVAq5QsqwSk1jLgHWGsEOFeCigr0rHBwxCdiYHmAF5o9mJ4xw/s640/Nouri+and+Inga+%231+edit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks to our guest contributors Inga Meladze and Nouri Verghese who covered the Sufi Nights</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The next Fes Festival of World Sacred Music will be held between June 13 to 21, 2014. Let us know who you would like to see perform.</span></b></blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">We hope to see you there.</span></b></div>
</blockquote>
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<b><i>Photographs: Suzanna Clarke, Vanessa Bonnin, Gabe Monson, Natasha Christov, Inga Meladze, Sandy McCutcheon</i></b><br />
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<i><b>The View from Fez is an official Media Partner of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music</b></i><br />
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The View From Fezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02018157780015101840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-22638697119219756942013-06-08T13:40:00.004+01:002013-06-08T13:40:50.020+01:00Full Coverage of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5MZssbTZxEfgvEoVd4-xKHFB6rpgRiMbHBzZtGMON4ptTRsfjNg0m0WGupVsw1zgqhVfL6PWobrSqseZP_YxDu2Cla4ldMsPBncd4YyNlMOabteJFgrIjbJiUuohPdylTqhSzw/s1600/Bab+Makina+%233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5MZssbTZxEfgvEoVd4-xKHFB6rpgRiMbHBzZtGMON4ptTRsfjNg0m0WGupVsw1zgqhVfL6PWobrSqseZP_YxDu2Cla4ldMsPBncd4YyNlMOabteJFgrIjbJiUuohPdylTqhSzw/s640/Bab+Makina+%233.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The View from Fes is an official media partner of the Fes Festival</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/">CLICK HERE</a> for our daily coverage of all events.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWxZaY-JwTRQoUWiO551cvOAJcVL59rMB4GfdntcYKgfVjK05SmGM1yrsi2keghBhPjmoeNJ6CkgUJpnAGiAWRmsuohZDgsiMTOAznmp34yZLbrqTnJirigd93G2GGmCmMSCIVw/s1600/Andres+Marin%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWxZaY-JwTRQoUWiO551cvOAJcVL59rMB4GfdntcYKgfVjK05SmGM1yrsi2keghBhPjmoeNJ6CkgUJpnAGiAWRmsuohZDgsiMTOAznmp34yZLbrqTnJirigd93G2GGmCmMSCIVw/s640/Andres+Marin%232.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/p/fes-festival-of-world-sacred-music-2013.html">Fes Festival program</a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/p/fez-festival-venue-and-medina-map.html">Fes Festival Medina Map</a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/05/food-fun-on-fes-festival-fringe.html">Fes Festival Food! </a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.fesfestival.com/fesfestival/index_en.html">Fes Festival Site</a></span></b><br />
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The View From Fezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02018157780015101840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-9274956288324060102013-06-03T10:39:00.002+01:002013-06-03T11:10:36.837+01:00Visiting a Moroccan Hammam - A Beginners' Guide<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<h1>
What should I expect when I visit a Moroccan hammam? </h1>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__MbsWbHy9YUbWT5CZX7qFoQWyfJEPLMko7T6USGlyu3PbDFtmw-61vqDYgig4tm3pKBgU904xVn3KZq4FR5lqV2abyTbLImOhgCORe4EA8WscEPyHNpCqRQvU8IHww8NhF4tCg/s1600/Spa+Laaroussa%253A+Hammam+Massage+a%25CC%2580+Fes..jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__MbsWbHy9YUbWT5CZX7qFoQWyfJEPLMko7T6USGlyu3PbDFtmw-61vqDYgig4tm3pKBgU904xVn3KZq4FR5lqV2abyTbLImOhgCORe4EA8WscEPyHNpCqRQvU8IHww8NhF4tCg/s640/Spa+Laaroussa%253A+Hammam+Massage+a%25CC%2580+Fes..jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">A visit to a Moroccan hammam (bathhouse) is a wonderful experience and one of the best ways to connect with Moroccans. So if you are a visitor to Morocco, don't miss out on a cleansing and cultural experience. Hammam etiquette is </span><b><span style="font-size: large;">not an absolute, but here is a general guide to getting the most from the traditional way of Moroccan bathing.</span></b></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">Where to find a hammam</span></div>
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You will find public hammams in almost every town in Morocco, and in every neighborhood in the cities. Your hotel reception desk will know where to find a local hammam. Taxi drivers, waiters and people in the street will also be happy to give you directions.<br />
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The larger hammams have separate bathing rooms (and entrances) for men and women, some exclusively serve either gender. A third category have days of the week for men, and other days for women, or certain hours for men and others for women. You will not find "mixed" public hammams anywhere in Morocco.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A public hammam in the Fez Medina</span></i></td></tr>
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Quite a few upmarket hotels and riads offer private hammams to their guests. Some also allow non-guests to use their baths. While these private hammams are usually more elaborate and luxurious, they also tend to be much more expensive than public bathhouses. <br />
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Some hotels and riads allow people from both genders to bathe together. Ask about their policy before you book.<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=37883488" name="2"></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What to bring to a hammam</span></span></div>
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Moroccans take the following toiletries to the bathhouse:<br />
<ul>
<li>soap,</li>
<li>shampoo,</li>
<li>scrub glove, </li>
<li>towel,</li>
<li>small, jug-style plastic bucket to pour water over your body,</li>
<li>swimsuit or extra underwear</li>
<li>shaving cream and razor.</li>
</ul>
Hammams usually sell travel-size bottles of shampoo and soap. When available, buy "<i>sabon beldi,</i>" a unique black olive oil soap. You will find this easily in the souks. Also ask if they sell "<i>ghasoul</i>" or "<i>rhassoul</i>", a lava clay that is used to scrub the skin.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholrJU0qnOceegEa1hs3logz7g9ZrOL36wf9qa0wK-t9RcVOLiLl9nhzwSzXNDZoMHSpjDrV0tV_s_QxtoQOX8fPtl8cl0M7SM-aTz2ssayo-HVXn81GXzyCa-TIocBthzQPlpcA/s1600/Sabon+Beldi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholrJU0qnOceegEa1hs3logz7g9ZrOL36wf9qa0wK-t9RcVOLiLl9nhzwSzXNDZoMHSpjDrV0tV_s_QxtoQOX8fPtl8cl0M7SM-aTz2ssayo-HVXn81GXzyCa-TIocBthzQPlpcA/s400/Sabon+Beldi.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;">sabon beldi</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TE9vYsYyL-pHTZLoIic4MkAmJBVRhsQnyU8urrH8s-Cj5ArnbQUZ8GODkC_6F-Mr81hh1lhoqal2MN_vwWTBFMc-fEayh4GjCwdaOCBXDA0ab_Jgx9B0kt_Ll9hwkNXaqzJfVA/s1600/Rhassoul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TE9vYsYyL-pHTZLoIic4MkAmJBVRhsQnyU8urrH8s-Cj5ArnbQUZ8GODkC_6F-Mr81hh1lhoqal2MN_vwWTBFMc-fEayh4GjCwdaOCBXDA0ab_Jgx9B0kt_Ll9hwkNXaqzJfVA/s400/Rhassoul.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;">rhassoul</i></td></tr>
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<i>Kiis</i> (scrub glove): Part of the bath ritual is getting scrubbed down by the hammam attendant or by a friend – all depends on whether you have a friend who will scrub your back for you (everyone scrubs each other in the bathhouse – another cultural thing that would normally be out of place in Western culture). A "kiis" (not "kiss") costs about 10 to 15 dirham /1.00 to 1.50€ for a really good one in the souks Scrub gloves and the small plastic buckets are available at souks (markets) and <i>épiceries</i> (drugstores). They both cost no more than around 10 dirham. <i>Sabon beldi</i> and <i>rhassoul</i> are also widely available in shops.<br />
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You can also rent towels for a few dirham at the front desk.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hammam layout</span></span></div>
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When you enter a hammam, you pay the man at the front desk the entry fee and continue to the changing room. Here, you change into a swim suit or a piece of underwear. You leave your clothes on shelves in the room. <br />
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There is usually no locker-type storage available, but staff will keep an eye on your belongings. It's very rare for clothing or shoes to be stolen from a hammam, but you should not bring valuable items to a bathhouse. <br />
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The changing room often doubles as a place for people to rest after their bath. A lot of hammams serve coffee or tea in this room. So while changing, you will be surrounded by other guests. Be careful to wrap a towel around your waist as you change - full-frontal nudity is offensive. <br />
Beyond the changing room are three areas separated by walls and connected by small openings in these walls. The first room is cool, the second room is warm and the third room is steaming hot. <br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=37883488" name="4"></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The hammam ritual</span></span> </div>
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After changing, the usual path through a hammam is: <br />
<ul>
<li> (1) Warm room<br />Here, you get your body accustomed to the heat in the hammam and fill two of the many available large buckets, one with cold water and one with warm water.<br /> <br />You use some of the water to clean the floor of the space you'll be sitting on. Then you wash a first time, but just superficially, to get rid of the basic dirt on your skin and in your hair.</li>
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<li>(2) Hot room<br />The heat in the hot room allows your pores to open wide and let your sweat out. This brings all the dirt out that's hidden in your pores and does wonders for your skin.<br /> <br />How much time you spend in this room, depends on your tolerance for heat. You can use the water in your buckets to refresh from time to time, although most Moroccans leave their buckets in the warm room.<br /> </li>
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<li> (3) Warm room<br />You return to the warm room for a more thorough washing. This is when you soap in completely, using the water from one bucket in the process. A fellow bather may offer to wash your back for you. This is a courtesy, don't misinterpret it for anything else.<br /> <br />After you wash your skin and hair, you use the water from the second bucket to rinse the soap and dirt off your body.<br /> <br />When your bath is done, you carefully empty the remaining water from your buckets along the walls of the warm room.<br /> </li>
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<li>(4) Cold room<br />After your bath, you step into the cold room. Many hammams have communal showers in this room, so you can rinse the last remaining dirt and sweat off your body. There are also benches in this room where you can relax for a while and let your body get used to normal temperatures again. </li>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=37883488" name="5"></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Getting a massage</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></div>
Many hammams, but by far not all, have staff who can massage you. The more upscale (often private) hammams use scented oils for this. Here, you can also choose to be washed by staff. Such a "gommage" often involves rich olive oil soap and is a real treat. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMbaRR7nwgPPrXD1GMj6BCblgG8nCboHdljPyvaD_rK0jZcHeM7BSvbRl8GHEIVcV1lmXayZ-kpvqvcY3K8Mg2I9hAUlmWm5ZOJUnbNECyzHcKsOgtMMWEtrUuyMcNu8ZCoaV2A/s1600/Hammam+Fez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMbaRR7nwgPPrXD1GMj6BCblgG8nCboHdljPyvaD_rK0jZcHeM7BSvbRl8GHEIVcV1lmXayZ-kpvqvcY3K8Mg2I9hAUlmWm5ZOJUnbNECyzHcKsOgtMMWEtrUuyMcNu8ZCoaV2A/s640/Hammam+Fez.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Visitor, Michael Palin having a massage in Fez</span></i></td></tr>
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In the more basic, public hammams, a fellow bather may offer to massage you. There's nothing suspicious about such an offer. It's a very kind gesture, usually without financial motives, although returning the favor is somewhat expected.<br />
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People with a bad back or other ailments would be wise to abstain from a massage. Even at the hand of a professional, a massage can be quite painful, although afterwards you'll feel as new.<br />
Getting a massage is always an option, never compulsory. <br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=37883488" id="6" name="6"></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hammam etiquette</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></div>
There are a couple of things that you can do to upset Moroccans in a hammam. Wasting water is one of them. Water is scarce in Morocco and splashing it around in large quantities is considered imprudent and rude. Only use as much water as you need to wash and rinse.<br />
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Even more seriously offensive is stripping completely naked in a hammam. There are no exceptions in men's bathhouses, but in some women's hammams people have reported Moroccan women going complete naked. Still, women tourists should only bare all when they see Moroccans doing it. As a general rule keep panties on! (take a spare dry pair to change into afterwards).<br />
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Although hammams are basically for hygiene, they also have an important social function. This is especially true for more "traditional" women, who rarely leave their house except for a visit to the hammam. People like to chat in hammams, discussing the latest news and gossip. <br />
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As a tourist, you may be quite an event in a public hammam. You will receive a lot of attention. Enjoy your special status - a hammam is a great place to get to know Moroccans. Don't be surprised if you're invited over for drinks or dinner. <br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=37883488" id="7" name="7"></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How much a hammam costs</span></span></div>
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A bath in a public hammam usually costs around 5 or 10 dirham . Towels, soap and other toiletries are available for a couple of dirhams. <br />
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If you take a massage from one of the staff in a public hammam, you are expected to tip him 10 or 15 dirham .<br />
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As you leave the bathhouse, it's custom to tip the front desk attendant one or two dirham. <br />
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Hammams in hotels and riads ask up to 300 to 500 dirham for a hammam experience. Expect to pay another few hundred dirham for a massage.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Luxury Hammam or Spa</span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7FUjN_HiaFpl46W6QlrFSNuwrct5ycoUAuqoZ4I9y6L2RmuoagOkRfLkBT93wJLNWkK2upUE6Em_mmutI-NCQ-TYh_QvVFNPvhRv8oNP2jt3-kM1hs4-PREII6XWYXlL0jjlKw/s1600/Hammam+%234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7FUjN_HiaFpl46W6QlrFSNuwrct5ycoUAuqoZ4I9y6L2RmuoagOkRfLkBT93wJLNWkK2upUE6Em_mmutI-NCQ-TYh_QvVFNPvhRv8oNP2jt3-kM1hs4-PREII6XWYXlL0jjlKw/s640/Hammam+%234.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>If you are hesitant to dive into the world of a traditional hammam, then investigate the more expensive hotel/resort spas.</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_EL1YXrk_RH3UZGbUYqlaVZuICMhF6uJsqIVNMHvrJPoP3C9N5fww0IlBoIab5bEWsKqPJQ8og_zI6XPX92m7SY8jLFoZeFhW19NTf_ANG2Dc0cnRXZtXcF0103-5jFYJ8DdKQ/s1600/Nausikaa+Spa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_EL1YXrk_RH3UZGbUYqlaVZuICMhF6uJsqIVNMHvrJPoP3C9N5fww0IlBoIab5bEWsKqPJQ8og_zI6XPX92m7SY8jLFoZeFhW19NTf_ANG2Dc0cnRXZtXcF0103-5jFYJ8DdKQ/s640/Nausikaa+Spa.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Part of the Nausikaa hammam</span></i></td></tr>
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<b>In Fez there are a number of high-end hammam and spa opportunities</b>.<br />
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<b>The Nausikaa Wellness Centre</b> (<a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2007/04/nausikaa-great-new-spa-in-fez.html">See our report here)</a>. can be found on Avenue Bahnini – Route Ain Smen, in Fes. There is a separate hammam for men, a hair and make up salon, many different kinds of hydro-, seaweed and other therapies provided by staff trained in France, as well as a fully equipped modern gym with personal trainers.
Tel: (+212)035 61 00 06
(+212)035 61 00 16
e-mail: info@nausikaa-spa.com
website : <a href="http://nausikaaspa.com/">http://nausikaaspa.com/</a><br />
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<b>Riad Laaroussa - Spa Laaroussa</b> (see <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-hammam-opens-in-fez-medina.html">our story here)</a> is a private authentic hammam with traditional massage in the heart of the medina of Fez. Reservations are available on the hour. Open from 12pm to 8pm.
Email: <a href="mailto:contact@riad-laaroussa.com">contact@riad-laaroussa.com</a> Tel: +212 (0) 6 74 18 76 39 Website: <a href="http://www.spalaaroussafez.com/">http://www.spalaaroussafez.com/</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANeJ6ok2b4dQrOZZE-JvUN_VfAlvabL6bv-TRXrNRKCB8qX1ZkQYJ-Ab5qmSRFPfNryUPSm4Ed3GGEZa0_14Xe_6GX4fmC8-UbQ7dXeWh3bAbPEedqGRnE1ZztKGLRAGrv2A1DQ/s1600/2Spa+Laaroussa:+Hammam+Massage+a%CC%80+Fes..jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Spa Laaroussa" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANeJ6ok2b4dQrOZZE-JvUN_VfAlvabL6bv-TRXrNRKCB8qX1ZkQYJ-Ab5qmSRFPfNryUPSm4Ed3GGEZa0_14Xe_6GX4fmC8-UbQ7dXeWh3bAbPEedqGRnE1ZztKGLRAGrv2A1DQ/s640/2Spa+Laaroussa:+Hammam+Massage+a%CC%80+Fes..jpeg" title="Riad Laaroussa" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The hammam at Riad Laaroussa</span></i></td></tr>
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<b>Riad Rcif </b>- Open to guests and non-guests. The treatments are all natural products and a fine massage is available.<br />
Tél : 00 212 (0)5 35 740037 E mail: contact@riadrcif.com<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.riadrcif.com/en/hammam-spa">http://www.riadrcif.com/en/hammam-spa</a><br />
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<b>Palais Amani</b> - Another luxury plus hammam with some interesting products including a hand and foot bath with sea salt crystals.
Pumice stone foot scrub, Black soap with argan oil and wild mint and body clay mask and wrap <br />
12 Derb el Miter, Email :contact@palaisamani.com Telephone +212 535 63 32 09
Website: <a href="http://www.palaisamani.com/wellbeing/hammam-rituals-at-les-bains-amani.htm">http://www.palaisamani.com/wellbeing/hammam-rituals-at-les-bains-amani.htm</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqNU3ggSodWwBxR7XOVWr_YuAqsuh6_W7B2tXyE8TTd3TwwaKZa8AoAa57a_p_qbvwUIJI2PiJU8li_F-bt2HHafDO9oNNoWAmJTK3Hv029BErNxQ1CW8WKvfLOwDV41h6OfvCQ/s1600/Hammam+Fes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqNU3ggSodWwBxR7XOVWr_YuAqsuh6_W7B2tXyE8TTd3TwwaKZa8AoAa57a_p_qbvwUIJI2PiJU8li_F-bt2HHafDO9oNNoWAmJTK3Hv029BErNxQ1CW8WKvfLOwDV41h6OfvCQ/s640/Hammam+Fes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Marrakech</b><br />
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In Marrakech there are dozens of very fine spas and hammams. A good example is the Riad Zamzam Spa which as well as hammam offers acupuncture, hot stone therapy and reflexology. All spa products are sourced or made locally. Most are organic, made using ancient recipes handed down by elders.
Telephone: +212 661 215 062 Email: zamzamriad@gmail.com
Website: <a href="http://www.riadzamzam.com/spa/">http://www.riadzamzam.com/spa/</a><br />
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The View From Fezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02018157780015101840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-32834301932086110062013-06-02T13:33:00.006+01:002013-06-02T13:33:51.909+01:00Timitar Festival in Agadir - Draws Lebanese Diva<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Lebanese diva Majida Al Roumi to perform at Morocco's Timitar Music Festival later this month</span></b></blockquote>
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<b>While Morocco prepares for the <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/p/fes-festival-of-world-sacred-music-2013.html">Fes Festival of World Sacred Music</a> music (June 7 - 15), fans will be pleased to note that in Morocco the music keeps on coming. </b><br />
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</b> <b>According to the entertainment pages of <a href="http://www.albawaba.com/">AlBawaba</a>, Lebanese diva Majida Al Roumi is going to be one of the stars at the 10th Timitar Festival in Agadir, June 26-29. </b><br />
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</b> <b>Algerian Rai singer Cheb Khaled will also take the stage after singing on Arab Idol last weekend, and Maghreb home girl singer, Latifa Rafat, will be there too along with a number of other Moroccan singers that are to be announced by festival organisers.</b>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><i>Majida Al Roumi</i></b></td></tr>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>According to Sayidaty.net, the festival in the past has featured some of the hottest names in the region’s music industry like Lebanese singer Najwa Karam, Iraqi singer Kadem El Saher, and another Moroccan native, Samira Saed.</b>
<b>Whether Majida will blow her festival predecessors out of the water remains to be seen, but the singer is sure to make a splash at the very least.</b>
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<b>Timitar 2013 in Agadir has the theme "Signs and Culture" and organisers expect tens of thousands of festival-goers to visit the main performance areas: Place Al Amal (Sahat Al amal) Place Bijawane and the Municipal Theatre outdoors. </b><br />
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</b> <b>Timitar Festival Website: <a href="http://festival-timitar-agadir.blogspot.com/">TIMITAR</a></b>
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The View From Fezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02018157780015101840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-83197644822400164562013-05-31T15:41:00.001+01:002013-05-31T16:05:06.504+01:00The Latest News From Morocco <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">In this edition:</span></b>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Airline News</b> - <b>France and Morocco to bolster cyber security cooperation -</b>
<b>Design Study Trip to Fez this September - </b>
<b>Discovery of Moroccan <i>Plesiosaur Zarafasaura oceanis</i></b> - <b>Archaeological-Tourism?</b> - <b>Morocco and the question of "kif"</b> - <b>Morocco's economic growth set to rise - </b>
<b>Two Moroccan police officers sentenced - </b>
<b>More Art on Fes Festival Fringe</b> - <b><i>The Little Prince</i> - a new museum</b></blockquote>
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</span></b> <b><span style="font-size: large;">Airline News</span></b><br />
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Qatar Airways is increasing its capacity between Qatar and North Africa with its flights to Tripoli and Casablanca going non-stop, from this weekend. Effective 1 June 2013, scheduled services to the Libyan capital Tripoli will be de-linked from the Egyptian city of Alexandria ,offering additional seats to both cities.
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On the same day, Morocco’s biggest city Casablanca will have direct non-stop services from the airline’s Doha hub. Currently the route is served via the Tunisian capital of Tunis.<br />
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With the de-linking and re-introduction of non-stop flights, Qatar Airways is giving passengers travelling to the four North African cities with more choice and flexibility when planning their travels.
Passengers from the Asia Pacific, South Asia and Middle East and can now take advantage of a seamless one-stop connection to Tripoli and Casablanca via Doha.<br />
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The Casablanca route is operated with an Airbus A330 in a two-class configuration of up to 248 seats in Economy and up to 36 seats in Business Class.<br />
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<b>The Ukranians are coming - to Agadir</b>
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Another new airline route is causing a few concerns over visa requirements. Morocco has been asked to cancel visas for Ukrainian tourists.<br />
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The Ukrainian Ambassador to Morocco, Yaroslav Koval, appealed to the Moroccan authorities with a request to optimize the procedure for issuing tourist visas to citizens of Ukraine in connection with the opening in June of direct charter air flights from Kyiv to Agadir.<br />
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During the meeting of the ambassador with the director of the consular department of the Moroccan Foreign Minister, the parties also noted the desirability of the abolition of visas for Ukrainian tourists.
The Ukrainian ambassador also expressed his gratitude for the decision of the Moroccan authorities to simplify the procedure for issuing residence permits to citizens of Ukraine, who permanently reside in Morocco.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cyber attacks on the rise - France and Morocco to bolster cyber security cooperation </span></b><br />
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At a time cyber attacks and cyber-spying are making the headlines almost every day and at a time cyber theft is rampant, France and Morocco have agreed to bolster their cooperation in cyber security matters and to enhance the capacity of national authorities in charge of information systems security.
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The broad lines of this enhanced cooperation were set in a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed earlier this week not by the officials in charge of new information technologies but by the Moroccan junior Minister in charge of the national defense administration, Abdeltif Loudyi, and the Secretary General of France’s Defense and National Security, Francis Delon.<br />
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The MoU provides, in the context of a long-term cooperation, for the exchange of experiences, information and expertise and will also contribute to enhance the capacity building of the department in charge of the security of the State’s information systems and vital infrastructures. This department is under the tutorship of the national defense department.<br />
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The provisions of the agreement will be implemented on the basis of annual action plans convened by the two sides.<br />
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While France and Morocco were signing their agreement, press reports incidentally disclosed that Chinese cyber-spies have reportedly laid hands on designs of more than two dozen US major weapons systems, including advanced technology and programs critical to U.S. missile defenses and combat aircraft and ships. The Chinese cyber-thieves are also said to have stolen the plans of a new building designed to house Australia’s top counterintelligence organization.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;">Design Study Trip to Fez this September</span></b><br />
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</i> <i>Art of Islamic Pattern</i>’s 2013 study trip is to Fez, and will comprise a four day intensive. Classes will take place in Dar Seffarine in the Medina. Dar Seffarine has splendid examples of carved plaster, woodwork, zellij and zouaq (painted wood).<br />
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This study trip will include visits to some of the most remarkable architectural masterpieces in the Islamic world: the Bou Inania Madrasa (1356) and the Al-Attarine Madrasa (1331) and to other important hidden gems.<br />
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The course offers the opportunity to experience making geometric and biomorphic designs using traditional methods, on-site.<br />
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There will also be a zellij (mosaic tiles) class at a local workshop in-which participants can produce their own pieces.<br />
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This is a mixed level course and open to both beginners and returning students.<br />
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The venue is also booked for participants to lodge, although places are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. Participants should plan to arrive by Tuesday evening 17th September for a Wednesday 18th September morning start. The course ends on evening of Saturday 21st.<br />
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Details and info: <a href="http://artofislamicpattern.com/study-trips/fez-morocco/">http://artofislamicpattern.com/study-trips/fez-morocco/</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Discovery of Moroccan <i>Plesiosaur Zarafasaura oceanis</i></span></b><br />
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Sergio Prostak writing in <a href="http://www.sci-news.com/">Sci News</a> says that paleontologists writing in the journal <i>Paludicola</i> report the discovery of exceptionally well-preserved skull and skeletal remains of the <i>elasmosaurid plesiosaur Zarafasaura oceanis</i>, the most complete specimen of this species ever described.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-n869k1okLml5qErwBxoMBEBzuMUD8EVC8iHZzPIbQdaz2AWjqGAZypcmFwdUXyoPIii1n79LmOKqa3rf-Wd98QDAKqTt8KTb-ywnpO0ZzYRMWLPOt605DKdOXQJRLU3MORNAKw/s1600/plesiosaur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-n869k1okLml5qErwBxoMBEBzuMUD8EVC8iHZzPIbQdaz2AWjqGAZypcmFwdUXyoPIii1n79LmOKqa3rf-Wd98QDAKqTt8KTb-ywnpO0ZzYRMWLPOt605DKdOXQJRLU3MORNAKw/s640/plesiosaur.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #faf2f2; color: #474747; font-family: Lora, serif; line-height: 16px;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This is a life reconstruction of the elasmosaurid plesiosaur Zarafasaura oceanis (© Nobumichi Tamura</i></span></b></span></td></tr>
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Plesiosaurs (‘near to lizard’ in Greek) are an intriguing group of extinct marine reptiles that roamed the vast seas of the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods from 235 to 66 million years ago. Their fossils have been found on every continent on Earth, with key discoveries made in Australia, Europe and North America.<br />
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There are several different families of plesiosaurs, including the <i>Elasmosauridae, Microcleididae</i> and <i>Plesiosauridae</i>.
Zarafasaura oceanis belongs to the family <i>Elasmosauridae.</i> The generic name <i>Zarafasaura</i> derives from <i>zarafa,</i> an Arabic word for ‘giraffe,’ and saurus, Greek for ‘lizard.’ The specific name means ‘daughter of the sea’ in Latin.<br />
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Paleontologist Dr Peggy Vincent from the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, and her colleagues first described the species in 2011 from incomplete skull remains found in Morocco.<br />
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<i>Zarafasaura oceanis</i> was approximately 23 feet (7 meters) long and lived around 72 to 66 million years ago.<br />
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The new, well-preserved specimen of <i>Zarafasaura oceanis</i> was unearthed in a phosphate mine near the Moroccan city of Oued-Zem. But the specimen did not remain in Morocco and is now mounted on display at the Wyoming Dinosaur Centre in the USA.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Archaeological-Tourism? </span></b><br />
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Is the development of archaeological discoveries, a way to boost tourism? Moroccan archaeologists think so according to a report in The Economist - "a country like Morocco, which offers a variety of tourism products, can also benefit from cultural tourism mainly around archaeological sites some of which are internationally renowned."<br />
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Indeed, important discoveries of human remains have been made in the country. Last September, archaeologists discovered two human skeletons, aged between 6 000 and 14 000 years in the cave "El Kehf Hallouf 2" near Ain Taoujdate.<br />
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Such discoveries may attract tourists with an interest in science to Morocco . At the same time many "archaeologists and paleoanthropologists who wish to better understand some of the history of the direct ancestors of the North African population could possibly favour Morocco for their research," says Abdeljalil Bouzzougar, archaeologist and specialist in cave Pigeons.<br />
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For its part, the Ministry of Tourism seems to seriously consider this approach. The department headed by Lahcen Haddad is also in the process of integrating cultural and archaeological options in its Vision 2020.<br />
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Mr. Haddad has placed particular emphasis on the importance of valuing archaeological assets of the region as a way of promoting Morocco. Currently, Moroccan and foreign anthropologists are working to make the <i>Cave of Pigeons,</i> located Tafouralt, a global benchmark.<br />
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This is one of the most valuable archaeological discoveries. It contains prehistoric ornaments among the oldest in the world (more than 82 000 years) that make it a must for a better understanding of human history in general and North Africa in particular. Its development could attract many tourists.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Morocco and the question of "kif"</span></b><br />
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"If you try to grow other crops here they will fail," says Ahmed, surrounded by lush green fields of cannabis, the illegal plant he and thousands of other poor farmers in Morocco's Rif Mountains depend on.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">90,000 households depend on the crop</span></i></td></tr>
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The country's cannabis export has been cultivated in the traditionally rebellious northern region for centuries, where the climate for growing cannabis, or "kif", is considered ideal.<br />
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Along the stunning valley that runs between the towns of Taounate and Issaguen, women work in the fields tending this year's emerging crop, while young dealers ply the 70km road in their cars looking for customers.<br />
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But after a massive bust in Spain this month, the attention of European drug agencies is likely to focus again on the continent's main source of hashish - and on Moroccan efforts to stem the supply.<br />
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Spanish police found 32 tons of the drug in a truck carrying melons from Morocco at the end of last month, and this month they discovered 52 tons at a warehouse in the southern Spanish city of Cordoba, setting a European record.<br />
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Morocco's interior ministry insists it has spent heavily on tightening border controls and combating trafficking, while deploying "enormous human and material resources" to eliminating cannabis cultivation.<br />
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The International Narcotics Control Board said in its latest report that 72% of cannabis resin seized by customs authorities worldwide in 2011 originated in Morocco.<br />
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"Implementing a policy of alternative development is the cornerstone of our strategy in the fight against the supply of drugs," the ministry said.<br />
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But an estimated 90000 households depend on kif production. Cannabis advocate Aberrahmane Hamoudani quips: "Kif doesn't kill you, but hunger does."<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Morocco's economic growth set to rise</span></b><br />
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Morocco’s economic growth may accelerate to about 5 percent this year, driven by a bumper harvest, Finance Minister Nizar Baraka said.
“Since the cereals harvest exceeded our initial forecast by 50 percent, this should reflect positively on overall economic growth that should hover around 5 percent this year,” Baraka said in an interview at an African Development Bank meeting in Marrakesh.<br />
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The economy grew 2.4 percent last year, Baraka said last month, and the government had earlier projected growth of 4.5 percent for 2013. Morocco has escaped the uprisings that swept across North Africa in 2011. The government last year negotiated a $6.2 billion credit line from the International Monetary Fund, and it’s seeking to reduce subsidies in order to rein in a widening budget deficit.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Two Moroccan police officers sentenced to 10 years in prison for forgery</span></b><br />
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According to a report by Youssef Sourgo in Morocco World News, on My 28th the Court of Appeal in Kenitra sentenced two police officers to 10 years in prison for the forgery of an official report.<br />
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The two officers were mainly accused of being illegally acquainted with a suspicious person, for whom they forged fake testimonies and altered official reports.<br />
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Accordingly to daily <i>Aujourd’hui Le Maroc</i>, the two convicted police officers were prosecuted after numerous complaints from several residents of a village adjacent to the area where they both work.<br />
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Last year the criminal division of the same court sentenced the head of the brigade of the Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie and his deputy, in the area of Lalla Maimouna (Province of Kenitra), to ten years in prison.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">More Art on <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/p/fes-festival-of-world-sacred-music-2013.html">Fes Festival</a> Fringe</span></b><br />
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According to Jess Stephens from <a href="http://culturevulturesfez.org/">Culture Vultures</a> (see <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/05/fes-festival-fringe-art-culture-music.html">our story here</a>) Palais Mokri will be featuring an exhibition and show by Michel D'yve.<br />
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The venture will present a collaborative mural and "the Muzoo". The Muzoo (a contraction of ‘museum’ and ‘zoo’) is a travelling museum presented by a group of artists called Sinéangulo. It was initiated by the Caza de Oro artist’s residence in Ariege, in the French Pyrenees. Le Muzoo moves between the UK and Morocco, and will be pitching its tent at the Palais Mokri during the Sacred Music Festival.<br />
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The Sinéangulo artists group was founded some time ago on the banks of the Niger, the product of a meeting between travellers from Gibraltar, Morocco and Mali. As they describe it, "<i>Sinéangulo is made up of about sixty artists both professional and amateur (with no distinction between them), musicians and fine artists from Africa, Europe and elsewhere. Sinéangulo is not an artists’ collective and in fact has no definite programme or manifesto; it’s more of a spiritual state that invites creators with diverse artistic talents to return to experimentation; a spiritual state arising out of a mélange of the curiosity, research and cross-disciplinary experience of each person. The objective is to master the contingencies of today’s innovations. A new generation of artists has begun to re-think our world, allowing us to rediscover the physical world and analogue creation. The purpose of Sinéangulo is to integrate with, to graft onto and to fuse with complementary entities to allow the creation of simple art</i>".<br />
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<b>The Mural </b><br />
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The mural will be created on the arcade wall of Palais Mokri and throughout the festival, the public will be able to watch the development of a mural created in the spirit of Sinéangulo.<br />
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Artists invited to contribute to the mural include Youssef el Yedidi, fine artist known for his murals (for example, at Asilah) who regularly exhibits in Europe. He says that he comes from the strait, a nod to his dual nationality of Moroccan/Spanish. His work is tinged with humanism and wavers between graphic and organic.<br />
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Aziz Amrani , art teacher from Chefchaouen. In his painting, Amrani retraces the roots of calligraphy. This action translates into immediate action, making us oscillate between a state of contemplation and that of primordial energy. Amrani believes that the experience of painting is just as important as the physical work.<br />
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Charley Case, rambling artist from Brussels, sings of his connection to the world through his drawings. We recognise the characters from his brush strokes that he develops with a tree-like structure. His work materials are simply a brush and a pot of Chinese ink.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Little Prince</i> - a new museum</span></b><br />
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Battling the wind in his World War I biplane, a French pilot landed on a sandy Moroccan airstrip. Nearly 90 years on, a museum honours his stay and the world-renowned book it inspired.
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"Antoine de Saint-Exupery the writer was partly born here, in Tarfaya, where he spent two years as station manager of Aeropostale," says Sadat Shaibat Mrabihrabou, opening the doors to the small museum in Morocco's far south, where the sea and the desert meet. "It's here that he began writing his books, under the stars," he says. "We're at the birthplace of a writer known worldwide."<br />
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Saint-Exupery is a name inseparable from his book "The Little Prince", a series of self-illustrated parables in which a boy prince from a tiny asteroid recounts his adventures among the stars to a pilot who has crash landed in the desert.
First published almost exactly 70 years ago in New York, in English and French, it became one of the best-selling books of all time with more than 140 million copies sold, and has been translated into 270 languages and dialects.<br />
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Prior to his stellar literary achievements, Saint-Exupery was a pioneer aviator posted to Tarfaya in 1927, a wind-swept outpost that served as an important refuelling station for the Aeropostale aviation company linking France to its colonies in Africa.<br />
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Today, even with new building projects rising from the sands, this sleepy port town formerly known as Cape Juby gives the impression that it's hardly changed. In front of Tarfaya stands a derelict fortress built by the British in the late 19th century, and the Atlantic Ocean stretching to the horizon. Behind it lies the Sahara desert.<br />
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Saint-Exupery packed his bags and flew his World War I-era Breguet 14 biplane to the Moroccan coast to take up his new job, whose duties included negotiating for the release of downed pilots captured by hostile local tribes.<br />
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During his 18-month posting in the dramatic isolation of Tarfaya, he wrote his first novel <i>"Southern Mail"</i>, "whose title was suggested by another pioneering French airman, Jean Mermoz," according to the museum's curator.
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There too was suggested the desert landscape that the Little Prince discovers when he falls to Earth, although that book was written more than a decade later.<br />
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In 2004, the Tarfaya museum opened, dedicated to preserving this key episode in the life of one of France's best-loved writers, whose Little Prince also has a museum in Japan.<br />
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"This patrimony represents an oral culture that risks disappearing with time. Saint-Exupery's last mechanic-caretaker died two years ago," says the museum's Mrabihrabou. "It was at this man's home that I heard for the first time the name of Saint-Exupery, when I was five to six years old," he adds.<br />
The life of the celebrated aviator-author is told on the walls of the museum, from his birth in Lyon in 1900 to his mysterious death in 1944 during a reconnaissance mission in the Mediterranean, after having survived a Sahara desert crash in 1935.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>"I really loved the Sahara. I spent nights in total seclusion. I woke up in this yellow expanse blown by gusts of wind as if at sea,"</i></b> </span><b style="background-color: font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">Antoine de Saint-Exupery</b><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></blockquote>
In the corner hangs an original picture of the Little Prince scribbled by its author.<br />
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The View From Fezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02018157780015101840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-10112237714038864612013-05-30T13:00:00.000+01:002013-05-30T13:00:18.823+01:00Fez Gets Its First Multi-Story Shopping Mall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Fez locals have flooded the newly opened Borj Fez shopping mall on Route Taza since the opening on Saturday. </span></b></blockquote>
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For many Fez residents, the three story high Borj Fez will be their first taste of the mega-malls ubiquitous in the United States, Europe, parts of the Middle East and Asia. Filled with more than 70 stores, including major franchises such as Carrefour, Virgin, Camaeiu and Nespresso, Borj Fez offers a very different shopping experience to the small individual shops of the Ville Nouvelle, and the souqs of the Medina.<br />
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Excitement among Fassis is evident, with frequent queues to get into the shopping centre and many younger people posting their status on Facebook as being at Borj Fez, with photographs of themselves outside it. And, as a reader reminded us, "the thing that has been causing the most excitement and hilarity - the first escalators in Fes! Watching people try and step on them for the first time is very entertaining."
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It's a sign of the growing Moroccan middle class that American and European owned franchises judge they will be able to generate sufficient turn-over, when the cost of a 200 dirham shirt or a 135 dirham packet of designer tea is more than the daily wage of many of Moroccans.<br />
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Samira, 17, from Oued Fez, says she and her friends are "excited to be able to see new things that are available. Even if we will have to save (up) our money to buy them."<br />
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The shopping as entertainment experience is enhanced by the children's Fun Park on the third level, along with the food court, which has a Burger King and a Pizza Hut.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The first escalator in Fez!</span></i></td></tr>
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As a consumer, the wealth of choice offered by stores like Carrefour is desirable - the honey section alone is half an aisle long, and the fish section offers a remarkable variety. However, in a broader economic sense is the question of how it will affect the small businesses of the Medina, Fez Jdid and the Ville Nouvelle.<br />
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The experience in Western cities is that small family owned stores simply can't compete with the buying power of the franchises; their customer base is reduced and there are forced closures. All over the Western world, the corner shop has become an endangered, if not extinct, species.<br />
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Of more specific concern is the effect on the artisans of the Medina. The main source of customers for artisan made products are Moroccans. Given a finite disposible income, will the Moroccan middle classes be tempted to buy Chinese made homewares and imitation tagines (they have small ones in Carrefour) at a cheaper price, rather than those that are locally made?<br />
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A wealth of white goods is on special at the entrance to Carrefour - everything from sandwich toasters, to juicers, to irons; and the relatively low prices will help to make such conveniences affordable to a broader group of shoppers.<br />
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However, the sight of the large number of inexpensive Chinese motorbikes on sale will make many Medina residents cringe.
In recent years the Medina has suffered an influx of motorbikes, which often pay scant regard to pedestrians, donkeys and mules in the narrow alleys, and have also been used for purse snatching. Although banned in the World Heritage listed Medina, such restrictions are rarely enforced, and it would be a pity if the pedestrian experience of the Fez Medina became as unpleasant as that of the Marrakech Medina.
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While the consumer choices offered by Borj Fez are certainly welcome, frequently such "progress" comes at a cost.
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The View From Fezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02018157780015101840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-26964007461304525552013-05-30T09:57:00.001+01:002013-05-30T09:57:14.160+01:00Fes Festival Fringe 2013 - Culture, Music and Fun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">One of the fascinating aspects of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music is the emerging "festival fringe". The events in this years fringe include everything from photographic exhibitions and street theatre to flash mobbing. </span></b></blockquote>
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<b>Once again this year Jess Stephens is at the heart of the action. Jess, a visual artist and creator of the <a href="http://culturevulturesfez.org/">Culture Vultures</a> enterprise, will open her pop-up gallery in the Tala'a Kbira (see map below) with exhibitions by local and international artists. It is the place to check out to discover what events are happening around the Medina and in the Ville nouvelle.</b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYePifGh3OxyFOLyUDUGX0Af_vACytL4HCUZe0vkJ2VLUk0beV6gXQnARB_PFTTzbp0yqLXUOocDTxBZi_zoHe-u7fFKM2Je3I1LB_yJrz5NmYFiFIhSyLZdFiDXggE6GEXlyMeA/s1600/flyer-72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYePifGh3OxyFOLyUDUGX0Af_vACytL4HCUZe0vkJ2VLUk0beV6gXQnARB_PFTTzbp0yqLXUOocDTxBZi_zoHe-u7fFKM2Je3I1LB_yJrz5NmYFiFIhSyLZdFiDXggE6GEXlyMeA/s640/flyer-72.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;"><i><b>Pop- up art space ‘alZahra’ in the Tala'a Kbira</b></i></span></td></tr>
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<b>The Culture Vultures fringe events include <i>Flash Mobbing Fez </i>- spontaneous events with dance, music and song, presented in conjunction with the Australian Timbre Flaws Choir, Gershom Company and The American School Fez. It could happen just about anywhere at any time from June 7th to 15th.</b>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">A "street carpet"</span></b></i></td></tr>
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<b>Another event worth taking a look at is the extraordinary street carpet - a creation by Colleen Cassar, a multi-media artist from Australia. It will comprise a textile wall carpet from gathered waste fabrics and recycled clothing. The creation, inspired by the ‘<i>boucheruite</i>’ carpets and Morocco’s traditional cross stitch embroidery will become a vertical panel representing an Andalucian garden space.</b>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;">Jess Stephens</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<b>Another imaginative event in the Festival Fringe is the three and a half hour Garden Walk Art Project with Heidi Vogels from Amsterdam. The genesis of this project was the research into Fez's gardens and stories Heidi undertook in preparation for a short film</b>.<br />
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<b>The Garden Walk includes an introduction to the historical development of the city’s green spaces, an intimate look into stories and memories of Fez citizens, and the illustration of the garden as imaginary space in poetry and song. Sharing stories, facts and finds is the starting point for the walk with the artist, while turning unexpected corners in exploring the medina gardens and their spatial and social aspects.</b><br />
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<b>The Garden Walks will take place on Thursday 13th and Sunday 16th of June. They begin at 09.30, from the Pop-Up AlZahra. Do bring a sun hat, your camera and good walking shoes. Cost is only 300 dh per person which includes refreshments and a healthy dose of inspiration.</b><br />
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<b>For more information and booking visit the Pop-Up art space alZahra during the festival or contact Jess: <a href="mailto:culture.vulture1@rocketmail.com">culture.vulture1@rocketmail.com Website:</a><a href="http://culturevulturesfez.org/"> http://culturevulturesfez.org/</a></b>
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<a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/p/fes-festival-of-world-sacred-music-2013.html"><b>
</b> <b><span style="font-size: large;">Fes Festival Programme 2013 </span></b></a>
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<b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.fesfestival.com/fesfestival/index_en.html" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Fes Festival Site</a></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Click to find out: <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/05/food-fun-on-fes-festival-fringe.html">Where to eat during the festival</a></span></b><br />
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</b> <b style="color: #073763; font-size: x-large;">For a map of the venues and of the Fez Medina please click here: <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/p/fez-festival-venue-and-medina-map.html">Fes Festival Map</a></b><br />
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The View From Fezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02018157780015101840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-19576508469515108112013-05-28T12:05:00.001+01:002013-05-28T12:05:09.472+01:00Fine Fashion in Fez - Moroccan Fashion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgjUYHqlnQhI5OAOx6lxvGhQFTDK04_NSxE82AHjHgBJ9gjoZ1fZm9FyrdOdsW81r610HluAPOtDMeTiEGT88WYZk31jxr-0lQHtOayuehqUcEj1e0MtzLOH6umf3cKmuWiMo/s1600/IMG_0869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgjUYHqlnQhI5OAOx6lxvGhQFTDK04_NSxE82AHjHgBJ9gjoZ1fZm9FyrdOdsW81r610HluAPOtDMeTiEGT88WYZk31jxr-0lQHtOayuehqUcEj1e0MtzLOH6umf3cKmuWiMo/s640/IMG_0869.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>A vibrant garment from Alfred Berlin's collection</i></span></b></td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Fez Fashion Day 2013 on May 25 was a treat. Held at the beautiful <a href="http://www.jardindesbiehn.com/" target="_blank">Jardin des Biehn</a> and sponsored by the <a href="http://www.institutfrancaisfes.com/" target="_blank">French Institute Fes</a>, two designers showed off their extensive collections at the well attended show. </b></span></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.moianan.com/">Moi Anan</a>, from Thailand, who works between Bangkok and Fez, and <a href="http://www.aaalfred.de/carmelo.htm">Alfred Berlin </a>from Italy who is based in Berlin and Fez, had very different collections. Anan's work was beautifully tailored and constructed, using exquisite fabrics, while Alfred's was more casual and playful, with an emphasis on accessories. See our previous story on them <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2013/05/fez-fashion-day.html">HERE.</a>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Collection Moi Anan</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Moi Anan's carefully tailored styling spans Thai tradition and Western modernity. His work has been shown at Paris Fashion Week. </span></b>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This new collection consists of more of thirty pieces, offering a sophisticated approach where traditional fabrics and materials are given a contemporary twist.</span></b>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Thai designer Moi Anan is happy with the reception for his new collection</i></span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iOIG977jHjFFlucOGh78iBhb35ni9prqyMxhNLl05UDAFu2yvmqK_7ns6cVeUq5PUOAgm8qss2MgzJ-MQye66oHYIfOr6OvhM5jVf8Bn9YEwo56GxuOmxCpYmBySM96tKmoO/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6iOIG977jHjFFlucOGh78iBhb35ni9prqyMxhNLl05UDAFu2yvmqK_7ns6cVeUq5PUOAgm8qss2MgzJ-MQye66oHYIfOr6OvhM5jVf8Bn9YEwo56GxuOmxCpYmBySM96tKmoO/s640/IMG_0941.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>A young audience member is inspired to make a record what he sees</i></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Collection Alfred Berlin</b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Alfred Berlin describes his collection as "a funky mix of past and present". </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Inspirations came from how, in the old Medina of Fez, people mix traditional Moroccan clothes, such as kaftans, jellabas and babouches with contemporary street-style looks like Nike and Adidas," says Alfred Berlin.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Accessories feature strongly. "I'm trying to establish my brand based on recycling left over leather from Italian factories. It is about using hand made products, done by the young artisan generation."</b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Alfred Berlin, right, with one of the models sporting a look from the collection</i></b></span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15056882414512099956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-9585640884164096212013-05-28T12:00:00.000+01:002013-05-28T12:00:14.446+01:00Artisan Expo in Marrakech<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The first large-scale artisan event ever in Morocco, showcasing 300 master artisans in Morocco’s design capital, Marrakech will take place from June 12-16 this summer. According to the organisers, this is a rare opportunity to view hundreds of traditional and contemporary collections never before seen outside of Morocco and meet the masters of some the most revered crafts traditions in the world.</span></b></blockquote>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>This Artisan Expo is being marketed as the first international exhibition of Moroccan craftsmanship and it is hoped it will present a real trading platform with the exhibition bringing together artisans and professionals, ie, importers, exporters, distributors, specifiers and designers.</b>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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</b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">For further information contact <a href="mailto:info@expoartisanmaroc.com">info@expoartisanmaroc.com</a></span></b>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="mailto:info@expoartisanmaroc.com"><br /></a></span></b>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15056882414512099956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-55255005939438615052013-05-24T12:06:00.001+01:002013-05-30T13:13:46.597+01:00Where to Eat in Fez during the Fes Festival<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Eating Out During the Fes Festival </span></b>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Having a great meal and still having time to get to a concert can be a bit of a juggling act if you don't know your way around the Fez Medina. Fortunately several of the best restaurants have adjusted their hours to fit in with the festival. Between June 7 and 15 you have enough time to try every restaurant! </span></b></blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Ruined Garden at Riad Idrissy</span></b><br />
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<b>The Ruined Garden is a delight! And the good news is that it will operate as a festival green room - where artists, journalists and the audience can mingle between concerts. </b><br />
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<b>Opening hours are between 12 noon and 9.30pm. For those needing to keep in touch there is free Wifi in the garden and snacks, cakes and all day brunch. And there will be no annoying background music - just great ambiance and tranquility. </b>
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<b>13 Derb Idrissi, Sieje, Sidi Ahmed Chaoui. Ph 06 49 19 14 10 <a href="http://www.riadidrissy.com/">http://www.riadidrissy.com/</a></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Café Clock</span></b>
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<b>Cafe Clock is one of the most visited cafes in the medina and because the menu is available all day, it is a perfect place to drop in for food or simply a jice or coffee. If you fancy learning to cook Moroccan cuisine, pick up some of the local Darija (Moroccan Arabic), try a little belly dancing, then check out the Clock cultural programme. (Hint - try the Camel burger!)</b>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Dar Roumana</span></b><br />
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<b>Dar Roumana comes highly recomended. During the Sacred Music Festival they will be open every day and offering pre-concert dinners (June 7-15). </b><br />
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<b> From 6pm - 8pm Dar Roumana will be offering a smaller menu (2 starters, 2 mains and 2 desserts) for a reduced price of 300dh for three courses or 225dh for two courses</b>
<b>For non-concert goers we will also be offering Dar Roumana's usual dinner service from 7.30pm - 9pm.</b>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-uQpBPdu_eVGTXxJMYrEuV17wgXYBt3uLnHEje5iFO5Xg4yyLc5zem-T7pVZRCh0TDVRwYfRNEAYNfEbFENhGea4k9BoFjU9iH5J9SSTmzyU4_GJvKAMxa5R8SWJrnVqXKjOTw/s1600/Roof+terrace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-uQpBPdu_eVGTXxJMYrEuV17wgXYBt3uLnHEje5iFO5Xg4yyLc5zem-T7pVZRCh0TDVRwYfRNEAYNfEbFENhGea4k9BoFjU9iH5J9SSTmzyU4_GJvKAMxa5R8SWJrnVqXKjOTw/s640/Roof+terrace.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Dar Roumana rooftop terrace and (below) the restaurant</b></span></i></td></tr>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Dar Roumana 30 Derb el Amer Zkak Roumane Fes Medina Morocco +212 660 29 04 04 (mobile) +212 535 741 637 <a href="http://www.darroumana.com/">www.darroumana.com </a></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Palais Amani</b></span><br />
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<b>A great lunch venue from 11.30 am to 3pm. A choice of evening meals in courtyard or dining room from 5.30 until 11pm. </b><br />
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<b> Palais Amani offers a three-course fixed menu dinner at 395dh or a tapas menu for 120dh for the first selection; 180dh for the second. </b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2S9KoVwTvwdjcwpdHyK0q7a4SNqlVMtm-m2ibF1iTq1s-AiuXNPK_k6aofh5jqX5VJwmu6riwB0z7bqCitzWGShW913zeZkFYHbcTsj93bt1wO3PerKq3mGOFmYtm7VDdvPFwg/s1600/garden-1.jpeg.1140x481_default.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2S9KoVwTvwdjcwpdHyK0q7a4SNqlVMtm-m2ibF1iTq1s-AiuXNPK_k6aofh5jqX5VJwmu6riwB0z7bqCitzWGShW913zeZkFYHbcTsj93bt1wO3PerKq3mGOFmYtm7VDdvPFwg/s640/garden-1.jpeg.1140x481_default.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">The courtyard is great for lunch</span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b>
</b> <b>Palais Amani Derb el Miter, Blida <a href="http://www.palaisamani.com/">http://www.palaisamani.com/</a></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Fez Café</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>Fabulous garden and great atmosphere await you at Fez Café inside Le Jardin des Biehn, Dinner is available both before and after concerts. And if you are having a night off they are open during the concerts.</b>
<b>
</b>
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<b><br /></b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeMSNBPYSLiMHaPTyHHI5JVM7AwyI7IvBa4G0bLfZksKBMXAf7LndI6eyZoJOYoKnk3nUWhH8Hm5w79wc1KxKsqbEpo7U98Qdmoo5XMbGWtNmDpsvd0Hd7viRkLn-Ly5JDNRg6w/s1600/Fez+Cafe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeMSNBPYSLiMHaPTyHHI5JVM7AwyI7IvBa4G0bLfZksKBMXAf7LndI6eyZoJOYoKnk3nUWhH8Hm5w79wc1KxKsqbEpo7U98Qdmoo5XMbGWtNmDpsvd0Hd7viRkLn-Ly5JDNRg6w/s640/Fez+Cafe.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>
</b>
<b>French and Moroccan cuisine available. Lunch from noon-3pm(last orders); dinner from 6pm until midnight (last orders).</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Fez Cafe, Jardin des Biehn - Aqebt Sbaa, Douh</b><br />
<b>Info: <a href="http://www.jardindesbiehn.com/">www.jardindesbiehn.com</a></b><br />
<b>Fez Cafe: +212(0)664.647.679</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<b>Street Food</b> </span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></b><b>Every year since 2006 <i>The View from Fez</i> has selected <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2006/11/best-little-restaurant-in-fez.html">Thami'</a>s as some of the best street food. It is still great, but there are also many new vendors with good food. The overall quality of Fez street food has grown much better over the last few years and it is recommended.</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Tasting Trails - Ceremonial Food</b></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>As part of the Fez Sacred Music Festival fringe <i><a href="http://www.plan-it-fez.com/">Plan-it Fez </a></i>will be offering Tasting Trails through the Fez medina hosted by resident Fez Food expert Gail Leonard. </b></span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsiWEcEBE8UbH_B8SY0aEixKnCDrJ645zOIlT2vSRii_qdPiJCJ17IXf1HxTwiFlj7xZFhdjfmIvVMKlqRaO2RP-oxIsoToJYyGkZWDUdP2en24bnrr093MPTRYBf8zO8jDL42w/s1600/Fez+Food+%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsiWEcEBE8UbH_B8SY0aEixKnCDrJ645zOIlT2vSRii_qdPiJCJ17IXf1HxTwiFlj7xZFhdjfmIvVMKlqRaO2RP-oxIsoToJYyGkZWDUdP2en24bnrr093MPTRYBf8zO8jDL42w/s640/Fez+Food+%231.jpg" width="620" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>The tour focuses on the sacred and ceremonial foods of Fez and Morocco. Tours will commence at 10am from Boujloud and run for two hours every day throughout the festival except Mondays.</b>
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<b><br /></b>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdKcZvTq0O1-V-cSiNthGunoRjf-s_MMErkIQkX-fhIQcFr-285BG8tvDMQktyjH4PKKcN6BtvHIgICU0G4kpmnQT2rQzFtUhlk0sfe9gg12VzQIA_gmuz1z5Hx53ajXYKO-rUw/s1600/briwat+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdKcZvTq0O1-V-cSiNthGunoRjf-s_MMErkIQkX-fhIQcFr-285BG8tvDMQktyjH4PKKcN6BtvHIgICU0G4kpmnQT2rQzFtUhlk0sfe9gg12VzQIA_gmuz1z5Hx53ajXYKO-rUw/s400/briwat+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Price is 450Dh per person, cash payments only. Bookings need to be made in advance with a</b>
<b>minimum of 4 people required before the tour goes ahead. Tours will be a maximum number of 8 people. Bookings can be made via email <a href="mailto:info@plan-it-fez.com">info@plan-it-fez.com</a> or phone on 0535 638 708, or in person at the Plan-it Fez Office, 4 Arset Manjour, Batha.</b>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">PLEASE NOTE! - If you are opening a restaurant with special hours for pre-concert meals, and are not listed, please contact <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/p/about-view-from-fez.html">The View from Fez</a></span></b></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15056882414512099956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-52322435082131922122013-05-23T15:57:00.001+01:002013-05-23T15:57:26.492+01:00Buying a House in Marrakech<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/">New York Times</a> has just run an article on buying a restored riad in Marrakech. It comes as no surprise that they have concentrated on the very top end of the market. While prices have dropped across the country, the Marrakech market still appears over inflated. By contrast the prices in Fez are far more reasonable.</span></b></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JHV1sb1770BOIA-luRua87Ml1DnJlPnoCxTJiTT37BIVw36a1GBTuIssJ6dxy8LCqrFhT2SlPSmEZoG5il0xHbe2e56yJBkVEPojQzBd-qec7h7pTj9wxJWN71NxdJHueXcj/s1600/20130522-GH-IHH-slide-748Z-jumbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JHV1sb1770BOIA-luRua87Ml1DnJlPnoCxTJiTT37BIVw36a1GBTuIssJ6dxy8LCqrFhT2SlPSmEZoG5il0xHbe2e56yJBkVEPojQzBd-qec7h7pTj9wxJWN71NxdJHueXcj/s640/20130522-GH-IHH-slide-748Z-jumbo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Restored 19th century home in Marrakech - $1.3 million (11 million Dirhams) </span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This traditional Moroccan house (pictured above) , known as a riad, has 4,300 square feet of space over two floors surrounding an enclosed courtyard. Dating to the 19th century, it has five bedroom suites and a multilevel roof terrace with views of the minarets of the medina, or old city, of Marrakech, according to Younes Cherkaoui, an agent with Mauresque Immobilier, which has the listing.<br />
<br />
Built by a respected local family and called Riad L’Aziza, the house was restored about 12 years ago; it now serves as a guesthouse and is being sold furnished.<br />
<br />
The courtyard, divided into four symmetrical plant beds with a central fountain, has walkways, columns and other plaster-covered surfaces set with elaborate terra-cotta tilework of blue, green, gold and cream. Rooms opening onto the courtyard on the ground floor include a Moorish living room bordered with delicately carved plaster designs and a carved cedar ceiling.<br />
<br />
Nearby are three bedroom suites with tiled walls; their bathrooms are walled in colorful plaster. The ground floor also has an office and a kitchen with a service entrance.
The second floor has two bedroom suites, each with a fireplace and a private terrace.<br />
<br />
The salmon-colored roof terrace has three open-air living and dining rooms at different levels, along with an area for sunbathing and a spa room. Arched doorways and transoms of intricately carved cedar are found throughout the house, as are stained glass, ornate ironwork and traditional Moroccan sconces and rugs.
<br />
<br />
The riad is in the center of Marrakech in the medina, about a five-minute walk from the main square, Jemaa El Fna. Riad L’Aziza is about 20 minutes from the international airport, Mr. Cherkaoui said.<br />
<br />
<b> MARKET OVERVIEW </b><br />
<br />
In the five years leading to the international financial crisis in 2008, house prices in Morocco rose 35 to 40 percent; since the crisis they have settled in at 20 to 30 percent below their peak, said Loïc Raboteau, the head of the French and North Africa Law Department at the law firm Kobalt Law in London.<br />
<br />
Foreign buyers typically constitute about 10 percent of the residential real estate market, and many prospective buyers have had a “wait-and-see” attitude about North Africa since the crisis, compounded since then by the turmoil of the Arab Spring, which started in 2011, said Soraya Fahim, a manager of the residential department at the brokerage CBRE in Morocco.<br />
<br />
Tourist areas like Marrakech and Tangier area have been the hardest hit. But the Moroccan government’s demonstrated stability and the passage of new fiscal policies have had an encouraging effect on foreign buyers, particularly from France, Ms. Fahim said.<br />
<br />
According to Mr. Raboteau, prices in Marrakech last year decreased by 1.7 percent while remaining stable nationally; the number of property transactions countrywide increased by 7.8 percent.
The highest-end properties are selling for about 2,500 euros per square meter currently, or about $300 a square foot, said James Price, the head of the international development team for the brokerage Knight Frank. Riad L’Aziza is priced in this range.<br />
<br />
<b> WHO BUYS IN MARRAKECH</b><br />
<br />
Most foreign buyers tend to come from France, Belgium and Switzerland, Ms. Fahim said. “We’ve also noticed recently some demand coming from countries like Russia and the United Kingdom,” she added.
Moroccans living abroad also constitute an important group of buyers and investors.<br />
<br />
<b>BUYING BASICS</b><br />
<br />
There are no restrictions on foreign buyers, Mr. Raboteau said. The process resembles that of France, in that notaries handle most aspects of the transaction, though foreign buyers would be advised to hire an independent lawyer as well.
“Don’t expect the notary will give you legal advice,” Mr. Raboteau said. “His role is to check the identity of the parties, draft and register the deeds.”
Buyers can expect to pay about 6 percent of the sale price in taxes and fees, he said. Mortgages are available, with a down payment of at least 30 percent.<br />
<br />
<b>WEB SITES </b><br />
<br />
Riad L’Aziza site: <a href="http://www.riadlaziza.com/">Riadlaziza.com </a><br />
Moroccan National Tourist Office: <a href="http://visitmorocco.com/">VisitMorocco.com</a>
<br />
Moroccan government portal: <a href="http://maroc.ma/">Maroc.ma</a><br />
Official Marrakech travel guide: <a href="http://www.marrakech.travel/">Marrakech.travel </a><br />
<br />
<b> LANGUAGES AND CURRENCY</b><br />
<br />
Arabic, Berber; Moroccan dirham (1 dirham = $0.12)
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<br />
<b>TAXES AND FEES</b><br />
<br />
The annual property taxes on this home are about 6,000 dirhams, or around $695.<br />
<br />
<b> CONTACT</b>
<br />
<br />
Younes Cherkaoui, Mauresque Immobilier, 011-212-6-6000-5555, mauresque-immobilier.com</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15056882414512099956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-8442939212920535062013-05-21T18:21:00.000+01:002013-05-21T18:21:03.387+01:00Fez - Fashion Day 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Fez is making its name as a place for contemporary design with an historical twist. This week features not one but three significant events. Friday May 24 is the opening of Michel Biehn's exhibition <i>Veils and Turbans</i> and on Saturday May 25 is <i>Fez Fashion Day</i>; a fashion show followed by the opening of the <i>Fez Fabrik </i>design exhibition. </span></b></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPK5i3Q_pJjqibLHaovw_iqSMriic7xlPO6Dfv93NHSSl4IdeeclHfezi5uUzxXZAQ30ozK8uAI8diO1Oqlo-A_IhmAymGqcfRxXy21aF14PpQIcjWCXE6kxbTu2fEioL5qQT8/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPK5i3Q_pJjqibLHaovw_iqSMriic7xlPO6Dfv93NHSSl4IdeeclHfezi5uUzxXZAQ30ozK8uAI8diO1Oqlo-A_IhmAymGqcfRxXy21aF14PpQIcjWCXE6kxbTu2fEioL5qQT8/s640/IMG_0102.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A selection of turbans from Michel Biehn's extensive collection</span></b></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Veils and Turbans - Friday May 24 at 7 PM at Dar Batha</b></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfjB8OQDkkmz86KsHB8QDXV9vM7IhAZlv7QlSBgbaHyxI0kRLr6XkNp3PvmcOYUPxJC4gxaL7uaP9fcWE-oef-l80hnKZdAuvrWtTc0tSyk_jnayrt756NEuBMbGgsSd4RK1q/s1600/Fashion6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfjB8OQDkkmz86KsHB8QDXV9vM7IhAZlv7QlSBgbaHyxI0kRLr6XkNp3PvmcOYUPxJC4gxaL7uaP9fcWE-oef-l80hnKZdAuvrWtTc0tSyk_jnayrt756NEuBMbGgsSd4RK1q/s320/Fashion6.JPG" width="241" /></a></div>
Renowned designer and author Michel Biehn will be exhibiting around 50 veils and 50 turbans from the Islamic world from his extraordinary collection at the French Institute's Dar Batha until June 3.<br />
<br />
He points out that while both veils and turbans are "nothing but a rectangle of fabric", they have a deeper symbolic significance.<br />
<br />
"Veils are an issue in France," Michel says, referring to their being outlawed in 2010. "But I find it quite irrelevant. It's up to the individual - I don't see why the law should interfere. However, I am not making a political point, just showing a selection of costumes."<br />
<br />
"As a whole, a veil protects the mystery of a woman. Whereas a turban is worn very differently. It symbolises potency...Everyone is now hooked on veils, and no one talks about turbans. If we want the world to work, we need both those energies."
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DzI544cxXxSPRSQzuwjO2ohsePn72WkpTmKvzDe6u5kN4Y9sf-Jj6azim3PBpMn_b61T3vF5oC4wGqoERPIhFeyO9GCEp8_6stHHYPKVWFtOWtZrJJVJ-vrk5mvhAlCn_L86/s1600/Fashion4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DzI544cxXxSPRSQzuwjO2ohsePn72WkpTmKvzDe6u5kN4Y9sf-Jj6azim3PBpMn_b61T3vF5oC4wGqoERPIhFeyO9GCEp8_6stHHYPKVWFtOWtZrJJVJ-vrk5mvhAlCn_L86/s640/Fashion4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Designer and author Michel Biehn</span></b></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fez Fashion Day - Saturday May 25 at 5.30 PM at Jardin des Biehn</span></b></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUx1aHFR5JjG6rHp-hCrRVgXGziRhkjKy4kX1csyAZOcuXBprlgWrueUnj_eIFp6FgQY3vRU5zVFTYjEV0fGSwsWioaWH9Nc1GOJ8AUq34V2RxLPDlxu6vZ7fXlz31qXFSWD94/s1600/Fashion8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUx1aHFR5JjG6rHp-hCrRVgXGziRhkjKy4kX1csyAZOcuXBprlgWrueUnj_eIFp6FgQY3vRU5zVFTYjEV0fGSwsWioaWH9Nc1GOJ8AUq34V2RxLPDlxu6vZ7fXlz31qXFSWD94/s640/Fashion8.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fashion styled by Alfred Berlin</span></b></i></td></tr>
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<br />
Fez Fashion Day kicks off this Saturday with the showing of the work of two international designers - Alfred Berlin and Moi Anan. Sponsored by the French Institute, their clothing and accessories will grace the long, tiled runways of Jardin des Biehn.<br />
<br />
This is followed by the opening of the <i>Fez Fabrik</i> exhibition. Fez Fabrik is a newly created association which aims to encourage liaisons between international designers and local artisans. Six designers will contribute pieces to the exhibition, ranging from textiles and unique accessories through to unusual jewellery.<br />
<br />
Alfred Berlin's section of the fashion show will be "a funky mix of past and present," according to the designer. "Inspirations came from how, in the old Medina of Fez, people mix traditional Moroccan clothes, such as kaftans, jellabas and babouches with contemporary street-style looks like Nike and Adidas." Accessories will feature strongly. "I'm trying to establish my brand based on recycling left over leather from Italian factories. It is about using hand made products, done by the young artisan generation."
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUCtV9w09mfW-fGjvUq8e01eTwjQZJl9tExHK-_JsjGfS2R71PSFuF6ZK209ds5bC8TPrync7eR_U5-AzoO1lDZqbx8QUHEEHC-JhbBgDW7Y7Ziqi_qhJfLOQlKMFwKbfL6PI/s1600/Fashion7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWUCtV9w09mfW-fGjvUq8e01eTwjQZJl9tExHK-_JsjGfS2R71PSFuF6ZK209ds5bC8TPrync7eR_U5-AzoO1lDZqbx8QUHEEHC-JhbBgDW7Y7Ziqi_qhJfLOQlKMFwKbfL6PI/s640/Fashion7.jpg" width="436" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fashion styled by Alfred Berlin</span></b></i></td></tr>
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<br />
Alfred's design background includes studies of theatre and costume at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma where he won a scholarship to continue his studies in sculpture and textile design at the Royal College of Fine Art in Belgium, which led to him being accepted at the Royal Academy of Arts in Antwerp. He has collaborated with numerous internationally recognised designers, including Antonio Marras and Kenzo, Giafranco Ferre and Studio Pollini.
Moi Anan's vibrant and beautifully tailored designs were a stand-out at last year's Fez Fashion Day. His carefully tailored styling spans Thai tradition and Western modernity and has been shown at Paris Fashion Week. This new collection consists of more of thirty pieces, offering a sophisticated approach where traditional fabrics are given a new and unusual treatment.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fez Fabrik exhibition - Saturday May 25 at 7.30 PM at Jardin des Biehn</b></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx9EVpnxnb1GARsnFavLHaQ0mISNbsFjyKCylAHX7PNUDF5P5VhTIjtTV6953SgQswu7SWNATUMn2r7fHkm_RIBJ11bwkhCnCfHt1wkbDGgvm0ffn5d7XAeqNpapMnMmS1pQg/s1600/Fashion1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx9EVpnxnb1GARsnFavLHaQ0mISNbsFjyKCylAHX7PNUDF5P5VhTIjtTV6953SgQswu7SWNATUMn2r7fHkm_RIBJ11bwkhCnCfHt1wkbDGgvm0ffn5d7XAeqNpapMnMmS1pQg/s640/Fashion1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Talisman jewellery by Michel Biehn</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Following the fashion show will be the opening of the Fez Fabrik exhibition, featuring the work of six international designers - Nina Galbert; Catherine Gailliard; Lilou, Michel Biehn, Moi Anan and Alfred Berlin. This is also the inaugural event for Fez Fabrik, a new non-profit association dedicated to increasing opportunities for international designers and local artisans to create work together.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIXgjD0ifmcVAoRC0BBdoMj2fn6YGVlzBk1hifvpz2tS6nfzyC-7AMMqNyPLQ-UMNvm7v0ZDys-2XhyMB4ZK8JPZA8uya5cbk9FdfqUiTTLrgPJhrZNqb_K5gVRv0muiWY_-j/s1600/Nina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIXgjD0ifmcVAoRC0BBdoMj2fn6YGVlzBk1hifvpz2tS6nfzyC-7AMMqNyPLQ-UMNvm7v0ZDys-2XhyMB4ZK8JPZA8uya5cbk9FdfqUiTTLrgPJhrZNqb_K5gVRv0muiWY_-j/s640/Nina.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Striped hand-loomed throws by Nina Galbert</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Through her business the <a href="http://www.artisanprojectinc.com/" target="_blank">Artisan Project</a>, Nina Galbert has been sourcing and collaborating with local artisans for the past two years. The pieces in this exhibition are traditional, hand-loomed weaves and throws, with an emphasis on stripes.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPcynch2G6Hgnb-3VxE6k4vvW3efAC8HFdK0S7IaUeHAlhAjbBjVoO3dRZCwON0Lrvzmf15NdYd5Aekgd9WbS0svauB4euhs_s6SgqI0DKrOGThHuGHxqyB6w21lC0c39QdDy/s1600/Fashion2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPcynch2G6Hgnb-3VxE6k4vvW3efAC8HFdK0S7IaUeHAlhAjbBjVoO3dRZCwON0Lrvzmf15NdYd5Aekgd9WbS0svauB4euhs_s6SgqI0DKrOGThHuGHxqyB6w21lC0c39QdDy/s320/Fashion2.JPG" width="228" /></a></div>
Catherine Gaillard will be showing leather bags, which feature mixed colours and prints, while the jewellery of Lilou has a very contemporary approach, using materials like neoprene and silk. Michel Biehn will include a leather bag he has personally embroidered. "It's got elements of the old world and the new world put together," he says. He will also offer a collection of talismans.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>What: Veils and Turbans</b><br />
<b>When: Friday May 24 at 7 PM until June 3 </b><br />
<b>Where: <a href="http://www.institutfrancaisfes.com/" target="_blank">French Institute</a>, Dar Batha</b><br />
<b>
</b> <b>What: Fez Fashion Day</b><br />
<b>When: Saturday May 25 at 5.30 PM</b><br />
<b>Where: <a href="http://www.jardindesbiehn.com/" target="_blank">Jardin des Biehn</a></b><br />
<b>
</b> <b>What: Fez Fabrik exhibition</b><br />
<b>When: Saturday May 25 at 7 PM until June 16</b><br />
<b>Where: Gallery at <a href="http://www.jardindesbiehn.com/" target="_blank">Jardin des Biehn</a></b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15056882414512099956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-89703370488740829642013-05-21T10:24:00.003+01:002013-05-21T10:26:46.671+01:00Working With Moroccan Artisans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Claude Le Roux is a French businessman with a vision. His love affair with the Fez Medina prompted him to find a way of giving something back to the community and has resulted in a unique project. Working with a Moroccan family he has developed a programme that brings artisans and travellers together. </span></b></blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNP7GlsF1PJxETgKc0MiUszYUXSk3A4kBwwx7r9R-19aDhS-09JZVmffhqki5uJoBhATGKrl7FA0fMXlBVj7XVuXSn_7qhMO8Wte2yzv724HwVeiLS37IxKxE2sQRQSvACkv0HQ/s1600/Claude+%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNP7GlsF1PJxETgKc0MiUszYUXSk3A4kBwwx7r9R-19aDhS-09JZVmffhqki5uJoBhATGKrl7FA0fMXlBVj7XVuXSn_7qhMO8Wte2yzv724HwVeiLS37IxKxE2sQRQSvACkv0HQ/s640/Claude+%231.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Claude Le Roux and Haj Abid Belkaid</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Four times a week visitors to Fez now have the opportunity to work with a <i>malam</i> - a master of the craft - in producing an object that they have made themselves. But, as Claude points out, it is not so much about the object, as joining in and "<i>experiencing the spirit of Moroccan artisans</i>".
"<i>The idea is to organise workshops for travellers rather than tourists,"</i> says Le Roux. "<i>In three hours they have the opportunity to really get in touch with the people they are learning from</i>".<br />
<br />
The workshops are held in the historic Palais Glaoui which Claude Le Roux chose because of "<i>the spirit of the place"</i>. Instruction is in French. but plans are underway to offer them in English
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<br />
The first of the traditional crafts the workshops are presenting is that of plaster carving or stucco work. For this part of the project he teamed up with local <i>malam</i> Hafid Belkaid, who last week ran the first of the workshops. They turned out to be a great success. Two of the participants, a French couple, were thrilled by the process and very pleased that at the end of the workshop they not only had a better understanding of the work, but had also created a small carved plaster piece to take home with them.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaOZHuOYbeRpEFHQosKQJFmNqkR1-YWqR89S3uLTH-zXHEKrpGxFMMZbbAoBf74Kein637saANxsAVDvOs1XpG8iOgqQeac1Ei2m_96ndNMvNKRgZKdOu6V3WEX0ddEa8TBViGQ/s1600/2013+-+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaOZHuOYbeRpEFHQosKQJFmNqkR1-YWqR89S3uLTH-zXHEKrpGxFMMZbbAoBf74Kein637saANxsAVDvOs1XpG8iOgqQeac1Ei2m_96ndNMvNKRgZKdOu6V3WEX0ddEa8TBViGQ/s640/2013+-+16.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">"All my own work!" - stucco carving of "Fez" in Arabic</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzn8u6AiXyI7IC-Xn5g-bbv4KJlVeS4ShOJGhoXPB0gTktouiOeokO3XmI1YKEVuIWksVTvEqy7oRZKjP7AcAzXY-PhtiSuADvPncG5CCwqu-RiEg3JRPxou0YOO8-OIIlaAhopg/s1600/2013+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzn8u6AiXyI7IC-Xn5g-bbv4KJlVeS4ShOJGhoXPB0gTktouiOeokO3XmI1YKEVuIWksVTvEqy7oRZKjP7AcAzXY-PhtiSuADvPncG5CCwqu-RiEg3JRPxou0YOO8-OIIlaAhopg/s640/2013+-+1.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
Project manager, Haj Abid Belkaid says that in the future the project aims to include other artisan crafts such as <i>zellij</i> (tile) work, decorative wood painting and<i> tadlacht</i> (polished plaster). Each will be run by a <i>malam</i> who loves his craft and with an assistant to ensure the participants "<i>discover and love Morocco in a new way"</i>.<br />
<br />
As Le Roux says. "<i>It is about people, culture, and the spirit of the country. Visitors who do not understand the culture now have a door or window into the culture."</i>
Participants in each workshop are limited to eight so as to make certain they have a very personal experience. Haj Abid adds that he wants to "<i>shed a light on the craft and to share what we have in common"</i>.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Price: 250 Dirhams per person</i></b>
<b><i>Contact details:</i></b>
<b><i>Haj Abid Belkaid </i></b>
<b><i>Mobile 0674743091 Home 0535633113</i></b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15056882414512099956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-55124542634136192742013-05-21T10:20:00.001+01:002013-05-21T10:28:35.908+01:00Vinyl Record Shops in Casablanca<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The View from Fez was intrigued by a recent <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/">Guardian Weekly</a> reader's letter about the old record stores of Casablanca. A year ago we went on a simmilar search and found what was probably the same shop. </span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>
</b> <b>Vinyl records are a rarity these days and many are collectors' items. The shop we discovered held a treasure trove of recordings from the golden age of Egyptian music. Artists such as Umm Kulthum, Abd al-Halim Hafiz, Farid al-Atrash, etc., as well as some of the foundational Moroccan musicians from the mid-twentieth century, artists like Nass al-Ghiwane, Jil Jilala, Hamid al-Zahir, and many other folk, shaabi, Malhun, and Andalusian musicians. Most of the stock here has never been played!</b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouAwwBEOX82QN4vpvKGVSNo2jIHchU-yGf0gMGQqqhxqyr4uM1WBexMY0lnZsY-oPCAcrG_FrtqYbx1IKmkXf5_b9yP2EX3TPfZJ_csFdhOV-fRnqYCGn1wBwUcken6P79kCFSw/s1600/Philip+Murphy-04072+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouAwwBEOX82QN4vpvKGVSNo2jIHchU-yGf0gMGQqqhxqyr4uM1WBexMY0lnZsY-oPCAcrG_FrtqYbx1IKmkXf5_b9yP2EX3TPfZJ_csFdhOV-fRnqYCGn1wBwUcken6P79kCFSw/s640/Philip+Murphy-04072+(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The records are pristine, some with slightly faded covers or a bit of mold from siting untouched for thirty plus years. The beautiful dark hardwood displays give this place the feel of a museum, while accentuating the vivid and colourful artwork of these rare gems. The prices are extremely reasonable, however if you are a collector be warned it is easy to spend money here.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEWBpat06UTv6EKntzOgwzu4CfXYl8HzDGhWZKLuaex0_RqghM5caMZsr4EyIcWe7VB5dMmKXx2ZUOyDQG3m3B8AUU05OoSG-aKrBbHcc7HGIRdTdube9CG8bcN541AISOOiKJQ/s1600/Music+Shop_5815_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEWBpat06UTv6EKntzOgwzu4CfXYl8HzDGhWZKLuaex0_RqghM5caMZsr4EyIcWe7VB5dMmKXx2ZUOyDQG3m3B8AUU05OoSG-aKrBbHcc7HGIRdTdube9CG8bcN541AISOOiKJQ/s400/Music+Shop_5815_edited-1.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>This is what Guardian Weekly reader, Helena Cantone, had to say...</b><br />
<br />
Walking through the decaying streets of Casablanca with my head held high to admire the colonial architecture, I stumble upon a dusty record shop on the corner of Boulevard de Paris and Abderrahman Sehraoui.<br />
<br />
At the back of the shop sits an old man. I greet him with salam aleikum and begin to browse the stacks of vinyl records bursting out of the glass cabinets and hanging from the ceiling on strings.
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<br />
My eye catches a few favourites: The Isaac Hayes Movement released in 1970; Uprising by Bob Marley and the Wailers (1980); Michael Jackson's Thriller (1982), For Once in my Life by Stevie Wonder (1968); Fela Kuti; Italian pop singers Mina and Lucio Battisti, which surprised me; and many of Egypt's very best including Umm Kulthum, Mohammed Abdel Wahab, Abdel Halim Hafez and Sayed Darwish.<br />
<br />
At a loss for what to pick, I ask the owner for his advice and Monsieur Gam begins to tell me his life story.
Of Berber origin, Gam was born in Agadir in the 1940s and migrated to Casablanca with his family at the age of six. His love of comics and the cinema introduced him to music. He began selling things on the street then worked as a bus driver until he saved enough money to open up a record shop in 1970, going on to produce records under his label Disques Gam.<br />
<br />
He shows me a black-and-white picture taken in 1966 of a handsome young black man with dark sunglasses and a leather jacket and says with a laugh: "Marlon Brando!" I say he looks more like Clark Gable with his striking yet elegant features. He takes this as a compliment and tells me how he knows all the great films and actors of the golden age of cinema, and reels off a list of famous stars, directors and films.
Now aged 70, Gam has lived a full life.<br />
<br />
His four children have done well and his eldest is a doctor in Canada.
I ask him how business is today. Gam says Moroccans no longer buy vinyl and he relies mainly on foreigners. "First there were lots of record shops and cinemas in Casa, but now many have closed down. My shop is one of the very few record shops left in the city ... Life passes by so quickly," he says with a smile as we say goodbye.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpmcGVFOBzXL2NwTxn3yQZnTfjpHxl52d6fy3cP41LP5gxxMEVmPLTwPo3L7y0PB08G7r8bMI8uYeMnaNeDshMqLKnt-a_074JX5ERdC6M87Z2YFdnxa3dFnCp8ym21xz0bjelg/s1600/Casablanca+Malhoun_5229_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpmcGVFOBzXL2NwTxn3yQZnTfjpHxl52d6fy3cP41LP5gxxMEVmPLTwPo3L7y0PB08G7r8bMI8uYeMnaNeDshMqLKnt-a_074JX5ERdC6M87Z2YFdnxa3dFnCp8ym21xz0bjelg/s640/Casablanca+Malhoun_5229_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15056882414512099956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-76395846453017360302013-05-21T10:18:00.003+01:002013-05-21T10:30:06.359+01:00Travel Writing about Morocco<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Over the years <i>The View from Fez</i> has run an occasional series on <a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/search/label/Travel%20Writing">travel writing</a> about Morocco. We have given bouquets to the best and brickbats to the worst. It's been a while since our last travel writing story as a majority of travel stories lately have been well researched and written. </span></b></blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku0JJG9nyIkJ8clrvgjvbD0Mi1xocB82Qs6r-hVGQ-skdlKvxDyiIImI5o24QB-66fEKZTZt0DXt9Ug4H8-1FzOdq3WAQGY9kr-b36axQOdGyWRvvan7nf7Knn7PqR-kjFVtWvQ/s1600/fez-medina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku0JJG9nyIkJ8clrvgjvbD0Mi1xocB82Qs6r-hVGQ-skdlKvxDyiIImI5o24QB-66fEKZTZt0DXt9Ug4H8-1FzOdq3WAQGY9kr-b36axQOdGyWRvvan7nf7Knn7PqR-kjFVtWvQ/s640/fez-medina.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A small part of the massive Fez Medina</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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However, this week we came across a piece on Fez by Stephen Bayley from the UK Independent. It is certainly well written, however, at times pedantic. Stephen's piece has all the hallmarks of an embedded journalist. His reflections, while sitting with a "large glass of Celliers de Meknes syrah and a view of the kasbah" - are amusing, if not always accurate. He starts off with a bold assertion about the name of the city...
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<blockquote>
It's Fès, not Fez. The latter is a hat of Turkish production, a dark red truncated cone with a tassel, not much favoured by the locals, despite what some guidebooks tell you. And Fassi is what the citizens of Morocco's fifth city call themselves. The confusion with the name is one of several misunderstandings about this astonishing place. Nineteenth-century orientalists, French expeditionary soldiers, drugged-up Americans of the Beat Generation (who enjoyed a cannabis jam known as majoun, taken internally) all knew Fès, but it has not secured a place in popular imagination in the same way as Marrakech.</blockquote>
For the record, the name of the city is Fes or Fez (Arabic: فاس Moroccan Arabic: [fɛs], Berber: Fas,). If you are French you can write it Fès. The point is that as a transliteration from the Arabic, you can take your pick. As a local photographer put it, "Fes, Fez or Fas, we don't mind - <i>jeeb laz ou l'caz</i> - come for something good, or just leave!"
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<blockquote>
Access was always a problem: the erratic rail link from Tangier and Casablanca was an impediment to all but the intrepid, then British Airways failed to make a service from Gatwick work. Now a twice-weekly flight by Ryanair from Stansted gives us all the chance to be an explorer.</blockquote>
It is obviously a long time since the intrepid Stephen Bayley travelled by train to Fez. The services between Tangier and Casablanca are inexpensive and go almost hourly. There are also good (CTM) bus services and if you feel like a treat, a trip from Casa to Fez by car is available for around 1,500 dirhams. Ryanair is not the only airline and flights from a number of European cities make coming to Fez, either directly, or via Casablanca a low cost trip.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-dysLZtVq-eUIGUAISr45qLLJGiaCiJvEnrwzLJKSoRnoOtA6189i6X-N67zA8QeUocbAxS1YLLeGo8zSGOQd9uhx6TKZtaV4XKDKQep7GERRyDWaF4DGxUsTATGZC-O8lfegg/s1600/Fez+'a+stroll+in+the+old+Medina'+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-dysLZtVq-eUIGUAISr45qLLJGiaCiJvEnrwzLJKSoRnoOtA6189i6X-N67zA8QeUocbAxS1YLLeGo8zSGOQd9uhx6TKZtaV4XKDKQep7GERRyDWaF4DGxUsTATGZC-O8lfegg/s640/Fez+'a+stroll+in+the+old+Medina'+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Part of the huge slipper souk in Fez</span></i></td></tr>
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<blockquote>
This is not a city abandoned to the fey pleasures of frivolous European travellers. Instead, it teems and squirms: urgent but polite, and elegant while often rough. The souk combines filth and mystery with the medieval sense which only a sweating Satanic blacksmith in a carbonised vault and a man next door specialising in severed goats' hoofs can bring. Even lawyers sit in cubbyholes in the souk.</blockquote>
It is this orientalist view where the writing gets carried away. For a start the Medina of Fez contains many souks (markets) - slipper souks, vegetable souks, ceramic souks, leather souks and so on - and "filth and mystery" are in the eye of the beholder. Rubbish collection in Fez is on a daily basis, which few cities in Britain or Europe can claim. And few of the lawyers I know would appreciate their offices being described as "cubbyholes"!
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<blockquote>
Fès food is an anomaly. There is a weird mismatch between what's abundantly available in the souk and what appears on menus. The souk teems with sellers of herbs, spices, fried fish, lemons, escargots, goat, tripe and artichokes, but restaurant menus are repetitive. Boiled salads – including nerveless cauliflower – are served in miniature tagines they were evidently not cooked in. Insipid grey "chicken in sauce" appears everywhere. I looked in vain for harira (the ethnic soup) or méchoui (a whole cooked lamb) or any sense of freshness and precision in the cooking. Solemnly, our guide said, summoning-up unhappy memories of things ill-digested past: "In Fès, one does not eat fish." Still, smells memorably define the souk. Lemon verbena is an insistent presence, but so too is donkey.</blockquote>
This is perhaps the strangest observation in Stephen's piece. That he couldn't find harira is a mystery as is his failure to find fabulous food. Maybe he needed to escape from his guide and the up-market restaurants and check out the food stalls and street food cafes. While many of the so called "palace restaurants" serve up the kind of tourist fare he mentions for coach loads of package holiday tourists, there are wonderful alternatives both in the Medina and the Ville Nouvelle.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3myHvvlo0kyUbOXwXu4RvskcoO4l3DV_9ZNgnec-JMfi-8GdwU_MdBeOxJQl9sCyBqB8_eXuFgYlcGkRCxhPV2ORWiR3nqNLs3hq6cCPoE6JDCR6YbPPXSPuC2t3vqLKAD9d6lA/s1600/fez-medina-food-suq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3myHvvlo0kyUbOXwXu4RvskcoO4l3DV_9ZNgnec-JMfi-8GdwU_MdBeOxJQl9sCyBqB8_eXuFgYlcGkRCxhPV2ORWiR3nqNLs3hq6cCPoE6JDCR6YbPPXSPuC2t3vqLKAD9d6lA/s640/fez-medina-food-suq.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">One of the many food souks</span></i></td></tr>
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That someone actually told him that "In Fès, one does not eat fish", is beyond belief. Not only are the fish markets stocked with wonderful fresh fish, but there are also local treats like the fresh trout from the Atlas mountains, John Dory fillet tagine with saffron and lemon confit, lobster, spider crab and the famous Oualidia oysters.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Fresh fish in Fez</span></i></td></tr>
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<blockquote>
Always there is music half-heard through walls. And the lingering memory of wondering if I have ever felt more clean than after the hammam. We soon learnt that the medina is not as un-navigable as they say. After a day you can find your way and there are no risks, apart from the chance acquisition of a carpet.
But you have doubts. Why, when mint tea is so popular, has no one made a teapot which pours efficiently? Most times, the liquor escapes more readily from the loose-fitting lid than the congested spout. And what is the psychology of a modernising country which insists on making Berber slippers, camel saddles, leather accessories, djellabas and carpets which no one ever willingly buys?</blockquote>
One does feel sorry for Stephen and his loose-fitting teapot, his lack of harira and the fact he didn't understand why people buy djellabas, carpets and slippers. About 90% of the goods produced in the Medina are bought by Moroccans, many of whom (whose teapot lids fit better) do like to wear slippers and djellabas. The Fez Medina is a living, working Medina with thousands of artisans producing goods which are consumed. That a camel saddle might look like an exotic addition to someone's European apartment, does not mean it's not needed on a camel.<br />
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<b><i> You can read the full text of Stephen Bayley's piece here: <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/africa/keep-it-under-your-hat-but-fs-is-for-real-8620754.html">Keep it under your hat, but Fès is for real</a>
<a href="http://riadzany.blogspot.com/search/label/Travel%20Writing">Other travel writing stories</a> </i></b><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15056882414512099956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-63658048141673477042012-05-22T19:02:00.001+01:002012-05-22T19:02:52.825+01:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A group of Columbia Engineering students intend to kick off the summer with a six-week stay in Morocco, not as tourists, but as bridge engineers.</span></b></blockquote>
The Morocco team from Columbia’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) departs mid-May for the rural community of Ait Bayoud, located in the southern region of the North African country. They plan to build a suspended footbridge, spanning 200 feet, over the Tagawowt River so that residents will finally have a way to get to fresh food, medicine, their schools, and markets, during a three-month rainy season that typically prevents access to these necessities. Some 5,000 villagers are affected each year. In addition to beginning construction during this trip, the students also will educate residents on the safety and upkeep of the footbridge. The goal is to have the residents take ownership of the bridge and be responsible for its longterm maintenance.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaP03z3H07uzkzSDGBQ3ARlmqtqyl0mH1FonltgijPhcpk05lcgcYIY4RAFls9RFS1iEzLLOfGNOBSl_KnmoJ-YHm5IrEe-ljAf-I4kBccBp4IVjEI5ahw3yDHjyPoIhgnZfaLw/s1600/brassard1a.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaP03z3H07uzkzSDGBQ3ARlmqtqyl0mH1FonltgijPhcpk05lcgcYIY4RAFls9RFS1iEzLLOfGNOBSl_KnmoJ-YHm5IrEe-ljAf-I4kBccBp4IVjEI5ahw3yDHjyPoIhgnZfaLw/s640/brassard1a.png" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dhristie Bhagat, a junior biomedical engineering major, and Nina Morency-Brassard,
Columbia College alum and the team's Peace Corps contact</td></tr>
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To help them fund their project, the Morocco EWB team recently won a $10,000 grant from the Davis Projects for Peace. The organization is an initiative funded by Kathryn W. Davis to help undergraduate students design and implement their own grassroots projects during the summer months.<br />
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For Andrew Sumner, a member of the Morocco EWB team, this entire experience has been a valuable and rewarding one.
“This type of volunteer work speaks directly to the true calling of engineering,” said Sumner, a sophomore chemical engineering major. “Engineering isn’t necessarily just about the frontier of technology, it’s about improving the quality of life for everyone. Addressing basic needs through a project sourcing water or a footbridge uniting a geographically separated community is much more important than modern technology.”<br />
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This marks the first trip to Morocco for Sumner, though he has been involved with this particular project since the start of his freshman year. The Morocco project began in 2011 after a Columbia College alumna, Nina Morency-Brassard, a Peace Corps volunteer in Ait Bayoud, reached out to Columbia’s EWB chapter about the community’s particular challenge dealing with the rainy season.<br />
<i>Story by Melanie A. Farmer</i>
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<br /></div>The View From Fezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02018157780015101840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-71788952844237170092012-05-22T18:58:00.001+01:002012-05-22T18:59:59.579+01:00Literacy Help for Rural Moroccan Women<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Rural education offers Morocco's women the promise of a quiet revolution. Women in remote parts of Morocco are benefiting from a scheme that also teaches civil rights, numeracy and even beekeeping. Santorri Chamley, writing for <i>The Guardian's <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters">Poverty Matters</a> </i>blog, reports from Beni Zuli.</b></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Fatima Kadmire (left), one of the beneficiaries of the literacy programme for women in Beni Zuli Photograph: Santorri Chamley</i></span></td></tr>
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In a tiny classroom at the Maison de Citoyenneté support centre for the education of rural girls and women in Beni Zuli, an isolated village in Zagora, deep in south-eastern Morocco's Draa Valley, Fatima Kadmire is describing how learning to read and write is transforming her life.
"The best thing is that I can now dial numbers and send text messages on my mobile phone without having to rely on others to do it for me," says Kadmire, 21, who is sitting at a small desk at the front of the class.<br />
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She is one of the beneficiaries of an accelerated literacy programme targeting rural women and girls in Zagora and other remote regions in Morocco as part of the national literacy strategy. The class she is enrolled in is run by the Association des Femmes pour le Développement et la Solidarité (Afdes).
Afdes is part of Réseau Associatif pour le Développement et la Démocratie (Razded), an umbrella group of associations and NGOs established in 2007.<br />
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The organisation's aim is to strengthen the role of women in Zagora's economic development and democratic process, in partnership with the department for literacy.
As well as the 300 hours they have to acquire basic reading, writing and numeracy skills, beneficiaries are given lessons in social and civil rights, development, environment and income-generating activities such as weaving, baking and beekeeping.<br />
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The Maison de Citoyenneté, or Citizenship House – a peach-coloured building opposite the mosque on Beni Zuli's main thoroughfare – is one of the first adult education community support centres in Morocco. It was built to help address one of the biggest barriers to education facing rural women and girls: lack of access to learning centres and middle schools (attended by 12- to 16-year-olds), which are usually located very far from home.<br />
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Beni Zuli, which has 18,000 inhabitants, is a beautiful village with traditional mud-brick houses. Like the rest of the province, it is flanked by the imposing Atlas mountains; its arid landscape is punctuated by a string of lush palm groves and oases. The village is one of the most remote in Zamora, which itself is a two-and-a-half hour drive along a narrow mountain road from the nearest airport, in Ouarzazate.<br />
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With more than 70% of its 280,000 population aged under 30, the province is among the programme's main target regions.
One of the main objectives of the programme, which is enabling Kadmire and other rural women and girls to overcome deep-rooted cultural and traditional constraints, is integrated social and economic development. Post-literacy training will enable them to consolidate the literacy skills they acquire, preparing them to run micro-projects.
Such help, which promises to lift rural women out of the cycle of illiteracy and poverty, is welcome.<br />
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In 2004, King Mohammed VI pushed through landmark reforms to the Mudawana family code against tough opposition from religious conservatives in 2004. The measures attempted to address a range of issues including underage marriage, women's rights, domestic violence, forced child labour and sexual trafficking.<br />
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Despite the reforms, however, many rural women remain second-class citizens.
Almost 20,000 women and girls have benefited from the accelerated, state-funded literacy programme since it was introduced in Zagora in 2007. Its grants cover course fees, teacher-training and learning tools such as textbooks and pens.<br />
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<i>Story and photograph: Santorri Chamley</i>
<i><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters">Read the full story here</a> </i><br />
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<br /></div>The View From Fezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02018157780015101840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-9390833631124230962012-03-30T14:06:00.001+00:002012-03-30T14:06:54.850+00:00Thousands of Moroccans to March on Friday and Sunday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Moroccan political bodies have called for citizens to take part in the largest march in the Morocco's history - "The March to Jerusalem". The march will take place this coming Sunday with activities on Friday as well. The recent mass marches in Rabat have been seen as the prelude to the Jerusalem march events. Plans for the event include a joint forum with students from Jordan and a declaration of a fast day in efforts to show solidarity with Jerusalem.</span></b></blockquote>
<b>On Friday, a number of marches will be held simultaneously, leaving from Casablanca, Fes and Meknes. Two days later pro-Palestinian organizations will launch a mass rally in Casablanca expected to attract hundreds of thousands of people.</b>
<b>The Moroccan Islamist group Al Adl Wa Al Ihssan (Justice and Charity) called in a statement all the Moroccan people to make Friday March 30 “a day of solidarity and protest in support of Palestine and Jerusalem” by organizing protest marches in all the Moroccan cities.</b>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Last Sunday's pro-Palestinian march in Rabat</span></td></tr>
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<b>The Islamic group had organized a massive march for Jerusalem in Rabat last Sunday (25/3) but no political bodies which support the Palestinian issue participated in the march.</b>
<b>Next Sunday's march (1/4) was called for by several political bodies and parties, left-wing and right-wing, in addition to Justice and Development Party, and its ideological wing the Unification and Reform Movement, in order to organize “the largest march in Morocco history to support Jerusalem and the Palestinian cause,” according to <i>Lakom Kam</i> newspaper on Wednesday (28/3). The organisers have picked Casablanca as a starting point due to its huge participation. The march comes as a response to “justice and charity” march which surprised the observers in terms of participants’ numbers and the movement’s ability to organise.</b>
<b>The newspaper stated that the observers are waiting for the government’s reaction and media in dealing with the next march. The government has allowed the Justice and Charity group to organize a huge march for the first time, though it is not licensed to operate yet as a political party, but the official media had totally ignored the march that surprised the observers, the newspaper added.</b>
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<b>The march will be in solidarity with other marches around the Arab world. In Lebanon, participants will convene for a prayer session on the Beaufort, which overlooks the border with Israel. Public figures are expected to deliver a speech at the site, with organizers looking forward to welcoming tens of thousands of participants</b>.
<b>According to Lebanese reports, security forces held a Turkish vessel carrying activists from Iran, Turkey and other Asian states for long hours. Hezbollah representatives reportedly mediated in efforts to resolve the crisis.</b>
<b>Jordan has set the gathering point at the site where it is believed that Jesus was baptized, a location overlooking Jerusalem. According to plans, this rally will also include speeches and masses of protestors.</b>
<b>Jordanian coordinator of the march, Ribhi Halloum, said: "We feel the immense interest in the event expressed through donations from private individuals and the Islamic Movement."</b>
<b>The <i>Al-Dustour </i>newspaper reported that Jordanian Prime Minister Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh expressed his readiness to provide the Jordanian government's sponsorship to the march which he said would be non-violent.</b>
<b>
</b>
<b>While there is no public safety threat, tourists in Morocco are advised to avoid the areas where the marches are taking place.</b>
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<br /></div>The View From Fezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02018157780015101840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-69616604467353453412012-03-19T10:52:00.000+00:002013-05-22T11:14:50.689+01:00Daylight Saving in Morocco 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">At 2am this morning Morocco switched its clocks forward one hour. Unfortunately the change was not well publicised and managers of several businesses and construction workers on a number of building sites around the Fez Medina reported that workers turned up an hour late, unaware that the clocks had changed.</span></b></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxb9J5zPa2B73TTL391yyQrShnHuLQqwKfM0WuN51R4yPO-dwWrYmT2xm98lYaqq5KO6UM6hKg24lxh8SP9E5zzIumPPn1B2Hln9hzawPuXCtSc99OFkeUeA-yxCi8RH631NK9Q/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxb9J5zPa2B73TTL391yyQrShnHuLQqwKfM0WuN51R4yPO-dwWrYmT2xm98lYaqq5KO6UM6hKg24lxh8SP9E5zzIumPPn1B2Hln9hzawPuXCtSc99OFkeUeA-yxCi8RH631NK9Q/s400/images.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Minister of Public Services, Mr. Abdeladim El Guerrouj, said that the time change.. “will take place automatically and without any official statement.”<br />
<br />
But as building supervisor Rachid told The View from Fez, "It would have been nice if someone had told us."
Once again this year Morocco and split daylight saving into two parts: before Ramadan and after Ramadan. The clocks revert one hour during Ramadan.<br />
<br />
The exclusion from daylight saving during Ramadan is a peculiar anomaly because Ramadan times do not rely on clocks but on sightings of the moon.
Clocks are expected to be turned back to standard time at 3am (03:00) on Tuesday, July 9 to mark the beginning Ramadan.<br />
<br />
The start of the second daylight saving period will coincide with the end of Ramadan on Thursday, August 8. On this day, clocks will again be advanced by one hour at 2am (02:00) local time to 3am (03:00).
Daylight saving will end at 3am (03:00) on Sunday, September 29, 2013, when clocks will be turned back one hour to standard time.<br />
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Travellers would be well advised to check any departure times for transport as there have been cases in the past when airlines have failed to notify passengers of the change to daylight saving.<br />
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The View From Fezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02018157780015101840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37883488.post-56262767566268500002012-03-15T22:26:00.000+00:002012-03-15T22:26:09.934+00:00Housing the Poor - the impact on Moroccan Property<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Morocco’s housing deficit stood at roughly 608,000 units in 2011, with a significant shortfall in terms of the availability of government-sponsored accommodation, exacerbated in part by the Kingdom’s move to eliminate shantytowns and shift residents into proper housing.</span></b></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4DFQpeeuHGOgjZEt5T_MHsJZNjy5F9f8mJP6uivp6KRAgYnAtqakRb4ZftI8faLzF65Kdd1zLCvs1rpr0dWN6NEtRUja6uvuukUV2gihn8MXseiuCliPdngX-lnPGuXoS8mqiA/s1600/villes+sans+bidonvilles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4DFQpeeuHGOgjZEt5T_MHsJZNjy5F9f8mJP6uivp6KRAgYnAtqakRb4ZftI8faLzF65Kdd1zLCvs1rpr0dWN6NEtRUja6uvuukUV2gihn8MXseiuCliPdngX-lnPGuXoS8mqiA/s400/villes+sans+bidonvilles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cities Without Slums</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>The project, known as Cities Without Slums (<i>Villes Sans Bidonvilles</i>, VSB), was launched in 2004 with the aim of relocating families from poorer neighbourhoods and placing them into new houses in urban areas. The programme, which now impacts some 1.75m people, has seen remarkable progress towards achieving its objectives. </b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Since the programme’s launch, an additional 400,000 people have been added to the government’s targets, and according to the Ministry of Housing, 70% of the scheme has been realised so far. Some 1.2m households have either been relocated or are currently awaiting the completion of their new home.</b>
<b>As a result, 43 out of the 85 towns affected by the VSB scheme have been declared slum-free. </b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>In the 42 remaining towns, more than 60% of the work has been achieved. Casablanca, Marrakech, Kénitra, Rabat, Larache and Guercif are among the next 17 towns who will move all targeted households into new homes.</b>
<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwN1Ez9mcIER4OQGJPTidf7p_z0ViSPMA_71p0DtHO4ZZuSVD_OUqvTipfZ6FRe-CPSGQ0tV-K4M3A_YVrvsmfILXpY-X3qMg4UlFVS4mtc6hiktaZIu7vYlM4Zi0EN64x3SaQw/s1600/bidonville_jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwN1Ez9mcIER4OQGJPTidf7p_z0ViSPMA_71p0DtHO4ZZuSVD_OUqvTipfZ6FRe-CPSGQ0tV-K4M3A_YVrvsmfILXpY-X3qMg4UlFVS4mtc6hiktaZIu7vYlM4Zi0EN64x3SaQw/s640/bidonville_jpg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">Moving families out of the slums is a priority</span></b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>The VSB programme has been most successful so far in the Oriental Region, located in north-eastern Morocco, where 83% of the targeted households have been demolished and families relocated. The Al Omrane-Oujda group, a real estate company placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Housing, has been one of the main players in the region in helping eradicate slums.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Also among the company’s main projects is that of the urban zone planned for the town of Al Aroui where 210 ha will be dedicated to housing. Some 36,000 housing units will be built in the area for about 180,000 inhabitants. Relocating families into the refurbished apartments planned by the government has been made possible thanks to a number of financing mechanisms. Fogarim, which has provided government-backed mortgages to people with low incomes since 2003, has enabled 81,000 people to obtain their own home. </b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Among these, 15,200 households that have been relocated under the VSB scheme have benefitted from the Fogarim scheme. At the end of 2011, the credit distributed to these families accounted for around 11%, or Dh1.22bn (€109.3m), of total issued Fogarim credit.</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAvlVtXkaVWm0oTS730vdrCdRI_adWAYsuPS3XQOfMh6SarBdZVKH5u0CAmXXYizhezI7MUoU86M2EddNfESDbVx2dLYvYls_Tm2xu_U_gfayIfDNSKdrlN4946zR491H3yiuiQ/s1600/New+Housing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAvlVtXkaVWm0oTS730vdrCdRI_adWAYsuPS3XQOfMh6SarBdZVKH5u0CAmXXYizhezI7MUoU86M2EddNfESDbVx2dLYvYls_Tm2xu_U_gfayIfDNSKdrlN4946zR491H3yiuiQ/s400/New+Housing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;">New housing in Taza</span></i></b></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b>
</b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Payment Defaults Cause Problems</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>However, the Fogarim programme currently faces a major challenge as a number of payment defaults have been reported in towns such as Oujda, Azrou and Rabat, where some households have failed to pay off their monthly instalments of around Dh1500 (€134). Authorities have asked banks for more time before taking judicial action again the loanholders, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance has put in place a new loan, the Fogarim-VSB, that specifically targets this segment of the population and lowers their monthly payments to Dh1000 (€90).</b><br />
<br />
<b>Morocco’s residential sector will continue to expand as the government pursues its objective of relocating people to newer, urban housing. Already some 4000 ha of land per year have been reclaimed for urban projects, with some 45% of this used for real estate, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. With the government planning to develop a further 70,000 ha, the sheer volume and scale of the government’s housing schemes should leave plenty of room for growth in real estate.</b>
<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<div>
</div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Steady Growth in Property Sector</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>As evidenced by an increased demand for construction materials, including a dramatic 25% rise in cement sales, Morocco’s property sector is continuing to see steady growth thanks in large part to a strong emphasis on social housing – a segment that has consistently run a deficit of supply, thereby promising continued expansion in the years to come, Global Arab Network reports</b>.<br />
<br />
<b>Residential property remains the real estate sector’s main driving force, accounting for around 67% of total sales. In 2011, prices increased by 3.4% compared to 2010 and the number of units sold on the market was up by 13.6%. According to the latest statistics released by Bank Al Maghrib for the last quarter of 2011, the volume of transactions in the residential property sector rose by 22.8%, mainly due to the increase in middle-income and high-end apartment and villa sales. In the last quarter of 2011, villa prices saw a year-on-year (y-o-y) increase of 4.2% and sales rose by 11.3%.</b><br />
<br />
<b>However, it was apartment sales that lead the sector, accounting for around 61% of total sales. Prices saw a y-o-y increase of 5.2%, while the volume of transactions rose by 25.7%. The majority of real estate activity comes from further along the socioeconomic spectrum, at the affordable housing end, which accounts for more than two-thirds of total residential demand.</b><br />
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