Idris Ouaghich's New Book Explores the Moroccan Desert
Moroccan author Idris Ouaghich has recently released a captivating new book titled "Thus I Came to Know the Desert: Exciting Journeys Between Fez and Guerguerat," published by Bilal Press in Fez. This literary endeavor continues his exploration of the Moroccan desert through narrative and reflective writing, adding to his impressive portfolio of ten releases that encompass stories, poetry, and critical essays. The book spans 402 pages and presents a literary journey based on the author’s observations and impressions during his travels between the city of Fez and the Guerguerat crossing. The cover features a painting by Ouaghich that captures a moment of contemplation amidst the vastness of the desert, symbolically referencing the central theme of this publication.
In the book's dedication, Ouaghich honors the soldiers stationed at the borders and those who defend the territorial integrity of the kingdom, acknowledging everyone who has contributed, either through action or words, to safeguarding the homeland. He emphasizes that this work serves as a tribute to their sacrifices throughout the Moroccan desert.
A Blend of Travel and Reflection
Critic Mohamed Youb, in his preface to the book, asserts that Ouaghich's work transcends the boundaries of mere documentary writing or fictional narrative. Instead, it presents a literary text that intertwines the journey with contemplation, transforming the desert into a space for existential questions and reflections on history and identity. The minutiae of the road, the soldiers, the movement of trucks, and the wind are all woven into narrative elements that mirror the depth of human experience in this context.
Furthermore, the author states in the book's introduction that this work belongs to the genre of travel literature, grounded in personal observations and reflections on both place and humanity. He emphasizes his treatment of the desert as a cultural and civilizational space imbued with human and anthropological values, while ensuring that the text possesses an artistic dimension that harmonizes description, impression, and contemplation.
As reported by hespress.com.
