47th Marrakech Festival of Art and Design: Make way for the artists!
For the last 46 years, the oldest of Moroccan festivals has continuously innovated and refreshed itself in order to transmit Moroccan art and design across the decades and generations. The next round is from 20-24 June 2012, everywhere throughout the Red City. It’ll be a great occasion for exploring Marrakech with the whole family as there’s something for everyone! Indeed, after 46 years, they must be doing something right…
It will all start with the opening parade, which will leave from the Place du 16 Novembre and finish up at the Jema El Fnaa. And then for the next few days you’ll need to put aside Justin Bieber, David Guetta, 50 Cents, Metallica and any others to concentrate on the art of traditional Moroccan music! It’s a great pleasure to rediscover the ‘foundations’ of another era, yes? Personally I find that helps me clear my thinking! And of course there’s not just music. The festival features art generally, including theatre and so some stages have been specially built in the city for it. Traditional folk dancing, painting and traditional storytelling will all also have pride of place…no limits to artistic creativity in fact!
The challenge for the organisers of this type of event is to maintain the enchantment felt by the older generation (not too difficult that) while at the same time conquering the hearts of the younger generations, often attracted to the more contemporary arts. Their strategy is thus based on infusing traditional art with new energy and showing the rich diversity in the sounds, dance and painting of traditional Moroccan art, all while provoking a powerful desire for it, essential fuel for the long-term preservation of this extraordinary cultural heritage.
In 2011 the festival had its first ‘festival village’ where a wide range of activities, workshops and exhibitions with authentic Moroccan artisans were concentrated. It was a wonderful chance for the little ones to get involved and a great opportunity to share and learn for everyone else. It was a great success so it’s being brought back for this year.
In addition there will be daily displays and, in primetime even, all the troops of the Kingdom will be at the Palais El Badi…well, almost all!
So it’ll be a programme full of culture, rhythm, colour…and hot air…from the chicha pipes of course!
And finally, since you’re reading this, I’ll take the opportunity to let you know that if you’re not sure where to stay in Marrakech, well, I happen to know a lovely little Riad in the medina… Mumtaz!
Emmanuel
Details :
Fondation des Festivals de Marrakech :
Théâtre Royal Avenue Med VI Marrakech
Tel: + 212 (0)524 43 20 21
Fax: +212 (0)524 43 97 77
Online : www.marrakechfestival.com
Email – Loubna NADAR: secretariat.ffm@gmail.com
Info/Bookings :
Medhi Saad :
Mobile : +212 (0) 674 35 95 87
Landline : +212 (0) 524 43 20 21
Tickets and ticket outlets :
- Direct sales online : http://www.tick-et-show.com
- Ticket outlets:
- Théâtre Royal – Marrakech
- Conseil régional du tourisme – Guéliz – Marrakech
- Megarama – Casablanca
Prices : 100 and 200 Dirhams
