Marrakech hosted an engaging celebration of World Art Day on Wednesday, organized by Ibn Nafis Hospital for Mental Health, which is part of the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center. The event took place at the "Naseem" Day Treatment Center, under the inspiring theme: "Art as a Window to Therapy and Enhancing Mental Health." This initiative highlights the expanding concept of art therapy to encompass various forms of creativity, demonstrating how artistic expressions can serve as vital tools for mental well-being.
The event featured a diverse array of artistic and cultural activities, complemented by workshops in gardening and cooking. These activities showcased creativity as a therapeutic instrument, enabling patients to regain psychological balance through sensory and practical interaction with nature and food. Experts emphasize that creativity is not confined to paintings or poetry; it extends to every human action that rebuilds the relationship with oneself and the world.
Moreover, it was reiterated that this approach is part of a pioneering project that bridges health and culture at the hospital center. Art workshops in painting, theater, and music, alongside gardening and cooking activities, serve as spaces for the psychological and social rehabilitation of patients, fostering skill development and enhancing their sense of value and ability to contribute to society.
The event was attended by professionals in the mental health sector, along with community activists, including prominent associations in mental health and other civil society figures. This gathering reflected a collective civic engagement in supporting mental health issues and promoting therapeutic approaches based on creativity.
In this context, the organizers recalled the words of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche: "We have art in order not to die of the truth," signifying the preventive and therapeutic roles of art.
This focus on art as therapy is not a recent phenomenon; it is deeply rooted in Marrakech's history as a fertile ground for arts and creativity. Since its inception, Ibn Nafis Hospital has been linked to this therapeutic vision, especially through the legacy of the self-taught artist Abbas Saladi, who transformed his suffering into timeless artworks, embodying Pablo Picasso's saying: "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
This narrative connects to deeper historical roots dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries, when traditional hospitals, or 'bimaristan', utilized music and arts, alongside daily life activities, as therapeutic means in a holistic approach to human well-being, integrating body, mind, and emotions. This reflects the continuity of a cultural vision that sees creativity as a healing tool.
Every year on April 15, the world celebrates World Art Day, an occasion to enhance awareness of the importance of art in human life, not only as a means of aesthetic expression but also as a catalyst for mental and social health. Initiatives like these demonstrate how creativity, in all its forms, can be a language of healing and a pathway to rebuilding individuals.
As reported by mojaz24.com.
