Celebrating a Cultural Heritage in Morocco
On the evening of Wednesday, October 21, 2023, Marrakech, the vibrant heart of Morocco, kicked off the 11th edition of the Melhoun and National Song Festival. This festival serves as a tribute to the Melhoun art form, which is an integral part of Morocco's cultural memory, providing a platform to reflect on the nation's history, values, and to honor its artistic icons and creators. Organized by the Sheikh Jalal Amthird Association, this year's festival is themed "Melhoun Art in the Spirit of Unity Day: A National Memory and Pulse of Belonging," coinciding with the first anniversary of Unity Day and the international recognition of Melhoun as part of UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
A Night of Honors and Cultural Richness
The official opening ceremony was graced by the presence of esteemed artists, scholars, and cultural enthusiasts. A notable highlight was the honoring of researcher and artist Abdelmajid Fenich for his substantial contributions to theatrical research and creativity, which have intertwined the Melhoun poetry with the aesthetics of performance art through a unique blend of theater, Melhoun, media, and education. In a statement to the press, Fenich expressed his joy and pride in receiving this recognition during the festival, emphasizing its special significance tied to Marrakech, a city renowned for its rich Melhoun heritage. He praised the festival's long-standing commitment to combining the Melhoun art with national songs, offering a creative format that highlights their intersections.
The opening night featured performances of Melhoun art, led by Sheikh Haj Mohammed Melhouni and artist Mohammed Warathi, along with a talented group of singers who captivated the audience with renditions of classic Melhoun poems. The atmosphere was infused with the historical richness of this art form and the deep-rooted artistic and cultural values it embodies within the national consciousness. Artistic director Anas Melhouni highlighted that this festival has become a cultural and artistic landmark for celebrating Melhoun and its poetic, literary, and artistic dimensions, which reflect Moroccan identity through its expressions linked to customs, traditions, clothing, and cuisine, while also documenting significant events in Moroccan history.
Melhoun, a poetic genre that has transcended centuries, continues to adapt to Morocco's social transformations. Some researchers trace its earliest texts back to the Almohad period. The Sheikh Jalal Amthird Association has been dedicated to preserving this heritage since its establishment in 1970 by organizing festivals, evenings, and weekly gatherings that promote the recitation and understanding of Melhoun poetry and its musical and artistic characteristics. Furthermore, the association plays a crucial role in documentation through the publication of books and magazines focusing on Melhoun art, reinforcing the festival as a culmination of years of persistent efforts to sustain and pass on this art form to future generations.
This year's festival, supported by the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Sports (Cultural Sector), the Marrakech-Safi Regional Council, and the Marrakech Municipal Council, spans four days from October 21 to 24, featuring a diverse program that includes artistic evenings, theatrical performances, academic research, and social initiatives. The events are distributed across various venues, including the Abdullah Al-Aroui Theater, the Digital University Library, and the Social Complex Dar Al-Bir and Ihsan in Marrakech. The festival aims to contribute to the preservation of Melhoun heritage and its transmission to future generations while promoting national songs as a vital facet of Moroccan artistic expression, honoring the icons of this art and underscoring its role in reinforcing national values.
As reported by al9anat.com.
