Organized under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this event, which continues until April 26, is part of the event “Marrakech, capital of culture in the Islamic world for 2024”, and coincides with the celebration of Heritage Month in the Islamic world.
The launch of this event, which highlights the heritage of the Ochre City and the uniqueness of its culture, was marked by the organization of a visit to the Museum of Intangible Heritage at the Jemâa El Fna square which hosted the first scientific conference with the participation, in particular, of representatives of ISESCO, the president of the National Museum Foundation (FNM), Mehdi Qotbi, in addition to personalities from the worlds of art, literature, politics and the media.
At the beginning of the visit to this cultural hotspot overlooking the legendary Jamaa El Fna Square, Mr. Qotbi expressed his joy at the launch of this cultural initiative from the Museum of Intangible Heritage at the Jemâa El Fna Square, located in the heart of this historic square where colors and scents blend harmoniously with lights and sounds in a skillfully balanced blend.
In a statement to MAP, the president of the FNM added that culture is an essential component capable of building bridges of communication between peoples for better mutual understanding.
For his part, ISESCO Director General Salem Bin Mohammed Al Malik, in a speech read on his behalf by the Head of the Department of Culture and Communication of the said organization, Mohamed Zine El Abidine, noted that ISESCO pays special attention to the city of Marrakech, noting that the designation of Marrakech as the capital of culture in the Islamic world is explained by its influence throughout the world and the desire to reveal its cultural singularity, its artistic aspects and its tourist attractiveness which have made it an international destination.
Marrakech has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1985, thanks in particular to the unique character of its ancient medina, he added, recalling that ISESCO was keen to include several cultural elements of Marrakech on its lists of Islamic world heritage.
Mr. Zine El Abidine cited in this sense the Jemaa El Fna Square, the art of Malhoun, the know-how of the distillation of orange blossom, Dakka Marrakchia, in addition to other authentic cultural and heritage elements, announcing that ISESCO is preparing to launch an international platform to promote the multiple museums of the Ochre City and its intangible heritage.
On this occasion, detailed explanations were provided on the history of the Intangible Heritage Museum at Jamaa el Fna Square by Ms. Hanae Jerjou, the museum’s curator.
Other speakers were keen to highlight the historical and cultural wealth of Jemaa El Fna Square in particular and the city of Marrakech in general, as well as the joint efforts of the Kingdom of Morocco and ISESCO aimed at promoting the Ochre City and consolidating its position and contribution to the building of Arab-Islamic civilization.
This cultural event was also marked by a collective visit to the old medina to explore the soul, splendor and magnificence of this historic site. A visit that crisscrossed the winding streets passing by traditional craftsmen and maallems or the Confluences Museum “Dar El Bacha” where the public followed the explanations provided by the museum curator, Salima Ait Mbarek.
The program of this event, whose cultural activities will continue until April 26, includes conferences and scientific meetings focusing on research into the cultural history of the city of Marrakech.
The program of this Cultural Week includes symposia on “Oral intangible cultural heritage in Marrakech”, “Marrakech at the time of its foundation”, “The effects of the Al Haouz earthquake on the cultural and tourist heritage of the city of Marrakech” and “Islamic art and clay architecture”.
2024-09-20 08:17:32