Flamenco Takes Center Stage in Rabat
On October 21, the majestic National Theatre Mohammed V in Rabat welcomed a captivating flamenco performance titled "Rayuela," presented by the talented Marco Flores. This event was part of the Fifth World Flamenco Congress, an initiative aimed at bridging cultural gaps between Morocco and Spain. "Rayuela," inspired by the classic game of hopscotch and the renowned novel by Julio Cortázar, delves into the themes of artistic freedom, identity, and personal journeys towards the core truths of flamenco. Throughout the performance, Flores showcased a unique choreographic language honed over more than twenty-five years in his illustrious career. The powerful voice of José Manuel Álvarez Delgado and the exquisite guitar playing of José Tomás Jiménez Villalta complemented the evening, striking a balance between honoring flamenco’s rich roots and embracing contemporary expressions.
Lucía Chicote, the cultural attaché at the Spanish embassy in Morocco, praised the performance, highlighting its fusion of contemporary body performance with the authentic soul of flamenco. She reiterated the Congress's mission to connect the Moroccan audience with flamenco through high-quality, innovative, and creative proposals. After enchanting audiences in Casablanca and Rabat, the touring troupe will head to Fez on Thursday and then to Tangier on October 24, continuing to celebrate this beautiful art form until October 30, with a total of fourteen performances scheduled across eight cities, alongside film screenings, a photography exhibition, and workshops. Flamenco, recognized as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, significantly enriches the cultural exchanges between Morocco and Spain.
Tan-Tan: A Festival of Cultural Heritage
From October 30 to November 3, Tan-Tan will host its 19th Moussem, themed "The Moussem of Tan-Tan: A Human Heritage and a Bridge of Cultural Exchange." This event, organized by the Almouggar Foundation under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, promises a vibrant celebration of heritage, artistic encounters, and grand performances coinciding with the Festival of Unity. Two alternating stages, located in Tan-Tan and El Ouatia, will feature a series of concerts blending popular, Hassani, modern, and traditional repertoires, inviting both locals and visitors to immerse themselves in the diverse cultural expressions showcased during these five days.
The opening ceremony on October 30 will include a religious gathering at the Zaouïa of Sheikh Mohamed Laghdaf Ben Sheikh Ma El Aïnin, coinciding with the inauguration of thematic tent exhibitions, Tbourida demonstrations, and camel races. The following day, a gathering will convene official guests, tribal dignitaries, and national and international delegations to celebrate Hassani heritage and the unifying values of the Festival of Unity. On November 1 and 2, audiences can enjoy demonstrative shows and a heritage carnival featuring hundreds of participants in traditional attire, with additional spaces dedicated to popular games and poetic encounters.
On the Place of Peace and Tolerance, a grand tent will host spiritual evenings with artists such as Marouane Haji and Yassine Lachhab, performing spiritual songs and Madih. The musical lineup includes notable Moroccan artists like Hatim Ammor, Hatim Idar, and the youngest female troupe leader in Ahidous, Sanae Jeddoubi, reflecting the significant role of women in preserving popular arts. Other performers such as Oumayma Amsaadi, Duke, and Emirati artist Fadel Mazroui will also grace the stage, with local groups and DJs enhancing the festive atmosphere. The event will conclude with a grand poetic gathering on November 3. Established in 2014, the Almouggar Foundation is dedicated to preserving this cultural rendezvous and its various components, such as oral traditions, poetry, music, dance, and artisanal skills. The Moussem is a vital expression of the Moroccan Saharan heritage and Hassani culture, recognized as a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage by UNESCO.
Marrakech Explores the Malhoun and Theatre Connection
In Marrakech, a national colloquium titled "Malhoun and Theatre: From the Poetics of Qasida to the Aesthetics of Performance" will be held at the House of Poetry. This event, organized in collaboration with the Association Cheikh Jilali Mtired and the Digital University Library, is part of the 11th edition of the Malhoun and Patriotic Song Festival. Critics and researchers will delve into the Moroccan experiences of theatricalizing the Qasida, exploring how to transition a text from the realms of song and listening to the stage. They will discuss adaptation processes and dramaturgical writing techniques, raising questions about how far one can exercise creative freedom without distorting the original work. These discussions aim to foster a deeper understanding of the construction of performance and critical reflections surrounding Malhoun, which is also inscribed in the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Oujda Celebrates Cinema
In Oujda, the Mohammed VI Theatre recently hosted the closing ceremony of the 15th International Maghreb Film Festival. The Grand Prize for feature films was awarded to "La Reine du coton," a Sudanese-French production by Suzanna Mirghani, while Shahd Amin received the Best Director award for "Migration." Farouk Aznabet was recognized for his acting in Ali Benjelloun's "Goundafa," which also garnered a special jury prize. The Best Actress award went to Deborah Crystal Nani for "Ciel sans terre," a co-production from France, Tunisia, and Qatar. The screenplay for "The Stories" by Egyptian Abu Bakr Shawky also received an award.
In the short film category, "Numéro 42" by Jordanian Hassan Khamayseh won both the Grand Prize and Best Screenplay. Romain Epstein was honored with Best Director for "Le temps d’une prière," with the male lead Walid Benmabrok winning Best Actor. Rahiq Chouli was named Best Actress for "Interdiction de sécurité" by Palestinian Tamer Shouamra, who also received the jury's prize. A special mention was awarded to Mauritanian Boubacar Ibrahim Mami's "Anima." Organized by the Ciné Maghreb association, this edition also paid tribute to distributor Mohamed Khouna, actress Georgette Paré from Burkina Faso, and Moroccan artist Abdelhafid Douzi, with Emirati cinema as the guest of honor.
A total of eighteen films competed: eight feature films and ten short films, with Nour-Eddine Lakhmari chairing the feature film jury alongside Amélie Mbaye, Sana Youssef, Mi Kwan Lock, and Stan Thiébaut. The short film jury included Adil Fadili, Diane Uwamahoro, and Valentina Carnelutti. The event also featured screenings, discussions on cultural and creative industries in the Oriental region, workshops, masterclasses, and book signings, promoting rich exchanges between Maghreb, African, Arab, and international cultures.
As reported by quid.ma.
