2024-05-06 08:22:14
In this interview given to MAP, the director of the Archives of Morocco, Jamaâ Baida, discusses the activities planned for the celebration of this day, the importance of raising public awareness regarding the need to preserve Morocco’s archival heritage, as well as the notable achievements of the Archives of Morocco over the past year.
1-What activities are planned by the Archives of Morocco to celebrate this day?
This year, to celebrate National Archives Day, we have chosen to pay tribute to an exceptional Moroccan thinker, namely Edmond Amran El Maleh who lived between 1917 and 2010. He was born in Safi into a Jewish family and grew up in Mogador (Essaouira), which he chose as his final resting place. He is exceptional, through his career and his work, both steeped in a deep Moroccanness which is best expressed by the word “Tamghribit”. He was its tireless champion.
It is on this eminent thinker that we will shine our spotlight on November 30. This will be done in two stages, firstly through a conference where renowned researchers will speak to enlighten the public on different facets of El Maleh’s work. Secondly, it will be the highlight of the celebration with the opening at the Gallery of Archives of Morocco of a beautiful exhibition of documents and photographs which retrace the journey of the apostle of Tamghribit, through an attractive scenography which will not leave any visitor indifferent. Most of the exhibits come to us from a great friend of the Archives of Morocco, Colonel Jamal Mehssani, whom I would like to deeply thank for his generosity.
2- In your opinion, how does this day contribute to raising public awareness of the need to preserve Morocco’s archival heritage?
The celebration of National Archives Day on November 30 each year, as well as International Archives Day on June 9, constitutes an opportunity to raise awareness among the general public of the need to preserve the national archival heritage. We have noted that after each celebration, thanks in particular to media campaigns, holders of private archives spontaneously come to offer to donate their treasures, sometimes three centuries old, to the Archives of Morocco and integrate them into the national documentary heritage. . I admit that these kinds of gestures fill me with joy. Quite recently, a generous donor told me with admirable nationalist passion that she rejected a tempting offer to sell the archives of her ancestors to a foreign party, preferring to donate them graciously to the Archives of Morocco!
3- Can you share some of the notable achievements of the Archives of Morocco over the past year?
What I remember for the past year is the completion of a long-term project which took us around two years. This is the strategy of the Archives of Morocco for the next ten years. This landmark document will be presented on December 13, very soon, before the National Council of Archives.
4- How are the Moroccan Archives adapting to technological advances, particularly with regard to the digitization of documents?
The Archives of Morocco must constantly adapt to technological advances and digitization is only one aspect of these advances. Our policy goes to the essential, namely on the one hand the digitization of the most fragile or deteriorated collections so as not to communicate the originals to users. On the other hand, the digitization of the collections most requested by researchers to avoid weakening them.
5- What are the long-term objectives to increase society’s awareness of the importance of archives?
The long-term objective is to convince both citizens and decision-makers that the preservation of archives is not a luxury, it is an imperative necessity for the consolidation of our plural Moroccan identity deeply rooted in history and for the good management of our present for a better future.
2024-05-06 08:22:14