Azilal: Guests of the International Mountain Cinema Festival discover the Ouzoud House of Knowledge
Commune of Ait Taguella (Azilal) – The guests of the 2nd edition of the Ouzoud International Mountain Cinema Festival visited, on Friday, the Ouzoud House of Knowledge, a structure that aims to preserve the tangible and intangible rural heritage of the Azilal province and to transmit this cultural legacy to younger generations.
Created by the Sawt Al Jabal Foundation for Heritage and Sustainable Development, the Ouzoud House of Knowledge is a new-generation architectural building that invites visitors to this mountainous locality and elsewhere to discover the hidden facets of the history and heritage of the Azilal province and the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region. On the occasion of this visit, which was attended by a large group of filmmakers, producers, directors and other personalities from various backgrounds, explanations were provided by the President of the Sawt Al Jabal Foundation for Heritage and Sustainable Development, Bahija Simou, on the Ouzoud House of Knowledge, which includes a library and an ethnographic museum aimed at highlighting the geological components of the region and making known the region and its relations with the State as well as its participation in major national causes. This structure includes several rooms presenting the geological components of the region and its way of life. The museum explores the secrets of the past of this province and the way of life of the inhabitants of this region, such as agriculture and its rituals, olive pressing, weaving and construction with rammed earth (tabia). It also evokes the daily life of this region, such as clothing by presenting the items of clothing specifically worn by women and men on a daily basis or on ceremonial occasions as well as painted or carved wooden chests or wrapped in studded velvet. Women’s jewelry in its various forms are presented, the symbols of tattoos as well as makeup and beauty accessories of yesteryear. On the other hand, this space addresses the relationship between women and water. It underlines the close link between women as the source of life and water as a condition of life. The exhibition highlights the foundations of the Moroccan state, namely, the Commandery of the Believers, the Maliki rite, the Ash’arite doctrine and Sunni Sufism. It highlights the unwavering attachment of the inhabitants of this region to the Baiâ and the anchoring of Sufism and the absolute love for Ahl Al-Bayt. Visitors had the opportunity to discover photographs of the main zaouias of the region. A space is also dedicated to the horse, given its importance in the consecration of the supreme values of the Kingdom and because of its heroic role in the achievement of the glories of Moroccan civilization. At the heart of this showcase of knowledge, several components of the region’s heritage are presented, retracing the heroic journey of the valiant Moroccan fighters from the Azilal region. The museum also reserves a space for celebrations, such as Tbourida, the Folklore of the region, the welcoming objects synonymous with the hospitality of the inhabitants of this area and much more. The visit to this place of knowledge is part of the second edition of the International Mountain Cinema Festival organized from September 3 to 7 at the initiative of the Sawt Al Jabal Foundation for Heritage and Sustainable Development in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, the region of Béni Mellal-Khénifra and the Moroccan Cinematographic Center. According to the organizers, the objective of this laudable initiative is to integrate the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region and more particularly the province of Azilal into a positive dynamic by using cinema as an economic lever. The organization of this Festival takes place in a context marked by the water crisis which requires rethinking innovative solutions to ensure good governance in terms of water resource management but also to identify strategic alternatives likely to promote the development of this rural community. Over five days, a varied program including a film competition, open-air screenings in the public square of Ouzoud, as well as conferences and masterclasses led by cinema professionals and renowned directors.
2024-09-06 21:04:33