Marrakech was cloaked in white last Friday night, creating a unique moment that the city had not witnessed before. In a rain-drenched evening at the Dar Poetry venue, a gathering of poets, intellectuals, artists, and media figures from diverse sectors of Moroccan culture convened for the third edition of the "Media Poets" program. This event celebrated the work of journalist and poet Abdelatif Benhya, featuring contributions from fellow poets and journalists including Fatima Baroudi, Widad Benmoussa, and Mohamed Belmou. The poets recited verses praising water, solitude, and the melancholy of writing, creating an extraordinary evening at the Dar Poetry in Marrakech. It was not just a moment of tribute and acknowledgment but rather a heartfelt and intimate human encounter, as expressed by Benhya, who insisted on celebrating those who came "laden with water" to enrich the gathering with love.
Poet and journalist Fatima Baroudi opened the reading with a brief portrait of Abdelatif Benhya, highlighting him as a pioneering and generous media figure. She presented a poetic summary and short excerpts that returned her to her essence, portraying poetry as a refuge where she could reclaim her inner voice. From her poem "Be Worthy of Air," Baroudi passionately voiced: "Stretch your back to the air / lean on it as your support / for the air does not betray those who lean / make the wave a surge within you / it awakens you, you awaken it / for your soul has rights upon you / because you have been content... / content with the succession of seasons / filled with void / surrounded by emptiness / make space for yourself to come forth / let parts of you embrace one another / for water is a wise teacher / when it touches itself, it adapts…"
Widad Benmoussa, a prominent poetic figure who has illuminated the horizons of modern Moroccan poetry through her publications, retraced the path connecting Rabat and Marrakech. She acknowledged how this journey could rewrite a moment of recognition for a unique man whose pioneering media experience intersected with his poetic creations, originating from the magical cultural crossroads of Tangier. Benmoussa read from her work "This Fragility That Touches Existence," transitioning from characters like Aznavour and the aunt to a Sufi voice reshaping identity. She also presented an excerpt titled "A Grain of Light" from a lengthy poem, stating: "I am the seller of secrets / and the first secret is that I am the secret / I do not expose / I do not reveal / I do not pave the way / I do not draw close to avoid being exposed by clarity / I do not let shame dance behind my steps / I do not leave the scent of roses or the bitterness of oleander in anyone's memory / I leave no trace on any body /.../ I do not weaken when there is no support / and when there is no secret fitting for me; I renew myself in my secret / I reinvent my mysteries, becoming a woman without number / and from me, I create the ambiguity that does not declare me..."
The voice of Mohamed Belmou, hailing from the fertile soil of Beni Ammar Zerhoun, resonated with the audience as he transported them from "The Voice of the Soil" to "The Soil of Marrakech." Belmou's poetry vividly evoked the enchanting journey of water, a long poem that flowed seamlessly, metaphorically tracing the movement of water between the earth's soil and its intricate paths, alongside human actions. His verses brimmed with the imagery of chance and the fragility of possibility. Regarding "The Tumult of Water," Belmou expressed: "The water, which is a thin thread that pierces a stone, / we throw our remnants into it whenever we feel the ship sinking / and there is no Noah between us / the water, like a sage, / carves through the earth’s channels, / gracefully slipping between pebbles and sand / to regain its clarity whenever our impurities muddle it / the water that seems compliant without boundaries / adapts to every context / taking the shape of every vessel it inhabits, / surprising with a small hole / to flow freely in the wilderness / ask the ant about a drop / how it storms its home like a flood / and the fish, when it exits, dies / and fire alone, when it drinks, weakens and collapses…"
Dar Poetry in Marrakech dedicated a special celebratory moment to the distinguished poet and journalist Abdelatif Benhya, who has navigated the realms of writing, creativity, and media. In recognition of his unique contributions, particularly through programs that resonate deeply with the Moroccan spirit, his poetry collection "Storms of Sorrow and Joy," published in the 1970s, remains a testament to a critical phase in Moroccan cultural history. This event marked a significant moment in the presentation and dissemination of modern poetic voices, representing the flourishing Moroccan poetic tree. Benhya returned to his creative roots, capturing the essence of his recognition at the Dar Poetry in Marrakech, expressing profound gratitude for a meeting that upheld a refined human sensibility. From the enchantments of Tangier to Mohamed Choukri to Marrakech, which failed to host a postponed meeting between Canetti and Borges, the region continues to write its unique history.
The "Media Poets" initiative aims to provide an open window to the experiences and generations of modern Moroccan poetry, intertwining poetry with various other domains such as media, visual arts, theater, cinema, and storytelling. Artist Sakina Mouiss contributed to the lushness of poetry with her voice, performing pieces from Fairuz to Laila Mourad and authentic Moroccan musical heritage, alongside artist Elias Arghay.
Thus, Dar Poetry in Marrakech continues its cultural and poetic season, now in its ninth year, embracing various experiences, sensitivities, and generations of modern Moroccan poetry. The ongoing cultural and poetic programs solidify the strategy developed over nine years, while maintaining a constant openness to a series of new initiatives and programs. The "Media Poets" segment, launched by Dar Poetry in Marrakech in its inaugural session in 2021, celebrates creators who have successfully merged poetic writing with media. This initiative is part of a broader array of dialogues such as "Visual Artists Poets," "Storytelling Poets," "Theatrical Poets," and various other cultural and poetic programs that open a window to the future.
As reported by aljarida24.ma.
