DOCSLIB.ORG

Fes Forum 2013: « Giving Soul to Globalisation »

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Fes Forum 2013: « Giving Soul to Globalisation » 2 Cahier du Festival des Musiques Sacrées du Monde 4 Cahier du Festival des Musiques Sacrées du Monde Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI 5 Cahier du Festival des Musiques Sacrées du Monde 8 Cahier du Festival des Musiques Sacrées du Monde 9 Cahier du Festival des Musiques Sacrées du Monde The Message from the Director here were a number of philosophers active during the Andalus period (from 15-8th century), among them Ibn Tufail, Averroes, Maimonides, Raymond Lulle and Ibn TArabi. According to many Andalusian thinkers such as Ibn Hazm or Ibn Gabirol, knowledge itself cannot be considered as separate from that other dimension which is an integral part and superior to it: that of Love; Love that is freed of all constraint to become progressively unconditional and universal. These writers could have paraphrased the wisdom of Rabelais to say that knowledge without love is no- thing but the death of the soul. In Andalusia the cult of femininity reached its highest point; it was the scene of courtly love and of poe- try. Today we need to rediscover the mystery and hidden resources of this lost paradigm. Nizam (Harmony), personification of the fe- minine archetype and of sophia perennis, to whom Ibn Arabî paid homage in his poetic work The Interpreter of Yearnings (Turjuman al achwak), can escape time and place and return from the far Orient to interrogate each of our philosophers, all of whom spent time in Fes. Perhaps the secret of this recreated Andalusia will be murmured to us in the shadows or the light, between songs, musical interludes and poetry, wrapped in the breeze that whispers within Bab al Ma- kina or through the lanes and courtyards of the medina. - Faouzi Skali - Director of the Spirit of Fes Foundation 11 Cahier du Festival des Musiques Sacrées du Monde Fes and its Festival he Fes Festival of World Sacred Music and the Fes Forum, founded respectively in1994 and 2001, are dedicated to the traditions of knowledge, art and spirituality of the city. Since Ttheir creation, these events have enjoyed a growing success. The Fes Festival was designated in 2001 by the United Nations as one of the major events contributing in remarkable fashion to the dialogue between civilizations. Parallel to the Festival an international network of support and media interest has developed. Every two years in the United States, Spirit of Fes Inc organizes a program of Festival concerts and Forum events across 20 American cities. Another tour was organized in October and November 2006 in several cities in the US, including a concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall. Thus the ‘Spirit of Fes’ radiates from Fes across the world. Several other cities such as Milan, London and Madrid wish to become relay-stations to spread further the message of the Festival and the Fes Forum: that of interfaith dialogue through music, the creation of a culture of peace encouraged by globalization and respectful of ethical and spiritual values. Posters from 1994 to 2012 12 Cahier du Festival des Musiques Sacrées du Monde The Festival The « In » The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music is a remarkable occasion in Morocco. Established in 1994, this substantial cultural event has a mission of universal peace and dialogue between peoples. During the 8 days of the Festival in Fes, there are concerts and shows all over the city, both in the medina or at Bab al Makina. Every year, thousands of people from all over the world attend the Festival to enjoy national and international artists. Nights in the Medina On these evenings, a musical journey of initiation will take us into the heart of the Fez medina with its great architectural heritage, product of the Arabo-Andalous culture. It’s an invitation to explore another Orient and to lose ourselves in the winding lanes of a medina that’s become universally known, and to revive the atmosphere of the ancient caravanserais where travellers crossed paths. Dar Mokri, Dar Tazi, Dar Adiyel, the Batha Museum and other magical places await discovery ... 13 Cahier du Festival des Musiques Sacrées du Monde The Festival Fes forum 2013: « Giving Soul to Globalisation » From 8th au 11th June from 9h to 12h Batha Museum This year, the Fes Forum takes place on the first four mornings of the Festival (8-11 June 2013). The theme is A New Andalusia: local solutions for global disorder. The four themes to be tackled are: • The new issues around diversity (on the occasion of the centenary of the birth of Aimé Césaire) • Can financial markets be united? • The definition of a new economic paradigm: an assessment of Bhutan’s experiment • Fes: Reflections of Andalusia: development through culture 14 Cahier du Festival des Musiques Sacrées du Monde The Festival Festival in the City « Festival Off » 7-15 June 2013, free entry Boujloud Square: Concerts from 22h00 Also known as the Festival in the City, the Festival Off brings together all the great traditions of sacred music, spiritual music, and world music. While it’s part of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music, it offers daily free concerts in popular city squares for the people of Fes, Morocco and from abroad. These large public concerts are free and take place at Boujloud Square. World music, be it spiritual or sacred, can be heard every evening at Boujloud Square (some 20 000 people every night). These are free concerts for the people of Fes, of Morocco and from abroad. The spiritual takes to the streets ... history at your fingertips ... Reflections of Andalusia come to life each night ... 7-15 June 2013, free entry Jnan Sbil Gardens: Concerts from 15h00 to 18h00 15 Cahier du Festival des Musiques Sacrées du Monde The Festival Sufi Nights Art Exhibitions Children’s Activities From 8th au 15th June starting 23h Dar Tazi From 7th au 15th Batha Museum and Dar Tazi 7-15 June (free of charge) Running in parallel with the concerts of Festival The Festival also runs daily activities for children The Sufi Nights are daily free concerts. They take week are exhibitions and screenings in various and teenagers. These educational and artistic ac- place throughout the Festival as a fitting finish locations such as Dar Tazi and the Batha Museum. tivities comprise exhibitions, concerts, shows and to the day’s events in a warm atmosphere full of Each year, painters from all over the world make various other events. The program runs during spirituality and conviviality. It’s a perfect moment their artistic contribution to the Festival by the Festival and is a great success each year. to be shared by all, in the gardens of Dar Tazi in exhibiting their work under the arcades of the the heart of the Fes medina. Batha Museum or at Dar Tazi ... it’s their way of bringing their own touch to the theme this year, Fes: Reflections of Andalusia. 16 Cahier du Festival des Musiques Sacrées du Monde The Festival Venues Bab Al Makina A monumental gate built in 1886 during the reign of Moulay Al Hassan, this was the main entrance to the Royal Palace. It opens onto the Mechouar, a large square used for official ceremonies. This square is home to the evening concerts. Place Boujloud Boujloud Square is situated at the entrance to the ancient medina of Fes, and covers an area of some 28 000 sq m. It’s considered as one of the most important historic monuments of the medina. It functioned as a market place for merchants and was the centre of the flea market (Jouteya).Restored for the city’s inhabitants, Boujloud Square is now used for cultural activities. 17 Cahier du Festival des Musiques Sacrées du Monde The Festival Venues Batha Museum This former palace was built by Moulay Hassan (1873-1894) and was used for royal audiences during the summer months. In 1915 it was transformed into a Museum of the Arts and Traditions of Fez, and was listed as an historical monument in 1925. In the courtyard under a Barbary oak that’s several hundred years old, the Fez Forum takes place in the morning, and concerts in the afternoon. Dar Adiyel Built towards the end of the 18th century and at the beginning of the 19th, this palace has been used for several official and public functions: as a mint, as the kingdom’s treasury, as a museum of traditional craft and, after independence, as the Music Conservatory of Morocco for classical Andalous Music. 18 Cahier du Festival des Musiques Sacrées du Monde The Festival Venues Dar Tazi This palace was built in 1900 and served as the Governor General’s Residence from 1914-1956. After independence, it was home to two Fez Governors and then the Pasha who lived there until the end of 1986. It then became the headquarters of the Fès-Saïss Association. The Sufi Nights take place here after the concerts at Bab Al Makina. Dar Mokri Situated in Oued Sawwafine, this palace was built at the beginning of the 20th century by Driss Moqri who was Mohtassib of Fez and brother of the Grand Vizier Lhaj Mohammed. There are several pavilions arranged around an open courtyard. For some years the palace has housed the Institute of Traditional Building Techniques and is used for training artisans in the restoration of traditional buildings. 19 Cahier du Festival des Musiques Sacrées du Monde 2012 Edition The audience We can’t talk about one audience; the Festival attracts an extraordinarily diverse audience, both at the level of artists, thinkers, storytellers or dancers and at the level of the public, for whom the Festival remains very accessible.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Moroccan Wonders Circuit
    MOROCCO Y O U R D R E A M D E S T I N A T I O N M O R O C C A N W O N D E R S C I R C U I T THE CONTENT This brochure contains the program and information for Small Group Trips, The experience is desighn to host up to 15 guests visiting Morocco for 8 nights. In addition to the Core Program this presentation contains information for optional pre- and post- trip extensions, the itinerary, as well as indications of accommodations and activities. The following section contains information regarding the 8 night Small Group trip program, covering the highlights of the Kingdom of Morocco. _______________________________________________________ _________________ __________________ The Core Itinerary for Small ITINERARY Groups covers Morocco’s must-sees: Begin with your arrival in Casablanca (1), spend your first night visiting the Kingdom’s capital city of Rabat (2). From Rabat, drive into Fes (3), the country’s cultural epicenter, where you will 2 spend two nights. 3 From Fes, begin your 1 RABAT journey to the Merzouga (4) FES with one night in a luxury CASABLANCA camp, after which you will spend one night and then 6 travel to the beautiful 4 Dades (5). MARRAKECH 5 The Core Itinerary ends MERZOUGA with three nights in the DADES beautiful Ochre City of Marrakech (6). _______________________________________________________ _________________ __________________ DAY BY DAY ITINERARY DAY1 DAY2 DAY3 Rabat Fes Fes Drive to the Borj Sud for Breakfast You and your guide will panoramic views of the medina. amble through the See the impressive al-Quarawiyyin Morning bustling maze of alleyways.
    [Show full text]
  • Natural Landscapes & Gardens of Morocco 2022
    Natural Landscapes & Gardens of Morocco 2022 22 MAR – 12 APR 2022 Code: 22206 Tour Leaders Paul Urquhart Physical Ratings Explore Morocco’s rich culture in gardening and landscape design, art, architecture & craft in medieval cities with old palaces and souqs, on high mountain ranges and in pre- Saharan desert fortresses. Overview This tour, led by garden and travel writer Paul Urquhart, is a feast of splendid gardens, great monuments and natural landscapes of Morocco. In Tangier, with the assistance of François Gilles, the UK’s most respected importer of Moroccan carpets, spend two days visiting private gardens and learn about the world of Moroccan interiors. While based in the charming Dar al Hossoun in Taroudant for 5 days, view the work of French landscape designers Arnaud Maurières and Éric Ossart, exploring their garden projects designed for a dry climate. View Rohuna, the stunning garden of Umberto Pasti, a well-known Italian novelist and horticulturalist, which preserves the botanical richness of the Tangier region. Visit the gardens of the late Christopher Gibbs, a British antique dealer and collector who was also an influential figure in men’s fashion and interior design in 1960s London. His gorgeous cliff-side compound is set in 14 acres of plush gardens in Tangier. In Marrakesh, visit Yves Saint Laurent Museum, Jardin Majorelle, the Jardin Secret, the palmeraie Jnane Tamsna, André Heller’s Anima and take afternoon tea in the gardens of La Mamounia – one of the most famous hotels in the world. Explore the work of American landscape architect, Madison Cox: visit Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé’s private gardens of the Villa Oasis and the gardens of the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakesh.
    [Show full text]
  • Medersa Sehrij
    • Medersa Sehrij (D9) • Sidi Ahmed Tijani Mausoleum (C8) • Complexe Nejjarine (C7) • Nejjarine Fontain (C7) • Seffarine Square (C8) the centre of the palace and the courtyard Founded by the Merinid Situated close to the Qaraouiyne It is about one of the The Fountain extends the This is one the most interesting decorated with zellij cover 60% of the total Sultan Abou-l-Hassan Mosque, this mausoleum was most beautiful urban and funduq towards the center sites in the medina because it built in memory of the famous surface of the monument. The Museum between 1321 and 1323 saint, Sidi Ahmed Tidjani (died architectural complexes in of Nejjarine Square and is contains one of the oldest crafts is opened every day from 9:00 am until A.D, this medersa was named in 1815), founder of the most Fez. This complex, organized an important component of in Fez: copper work. Craftsmen 17:00 pm (except Tuesday). after the basin (Sehrij) at the important Islamic brotherhood around a place (Saha) consists the urban architecture of the still work copper and brass to in West Africa. The numerous Admission is charged. centre of its courtyard. Its of a foundouk (today museum Square. Built in the mid- make utensils such as teapots, African disciples of the Tijaniya • Borj Nord (B5) layout, architecture and rich Sufi order never fail to visit of the wood), of a fountain 19h century, this charming trays, goblets and pots. decoration of the interior the mausoleum to renew their and a souk. The name of fountain is the most complete This fortress now holds the facades illustrate the beauty of Arabo- commitment often coming to Fez after their complex derives from its specialization in example of a typical Fassi public fountain.
    [Show full text]
  • Casablanca, Morocco
    CASABLANCA, MOROCCO Arrive: 0800 Thursday, 18 April Onboard: 1800 Sunday, 21 April Brief Overview: Exotic Morocco is an intoxicating blend of sights, smells, and sounds. In Casablanca, the Hassan II Mosque (inaugurated in 1993) is the largest in the world after Mecca. The bazaars and kasbahs are fascinating to experience, and Moroccan cuisine is considered by many to be some of the best in the world. Spend an evening or a couple of days with a family to really understand the culture and the people of this intriguing country. Nearby: Rabat, an elegant, modern capital city, offers visitors a view of the historic grandeur and cultural diversity of Morocco with a smaller, more relaxed kasbah and medina. Participate in half day or full day trips such as CAS25 or CAS35. Fes: The old-town Medina of Fes will transport the visitor to another century. Citizens still gather at the local well for water, apothecary carts on the streets offer medicinal treatments, and vast open leather-dying pits are a sight to behold. Visit Meknes and explore the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco at Volubilis. Marrakech: The city of Marrakech is a hub of activity with an intriguing Medina and bazaar itself. It also serves as the inland base for adventures ranging from Camel Riding in Palm Groves; visiting a Nomad Camp in the mountains; a treasure hunt/zipline adventure; or the beautiful Ourika Valley. Suggested short-cuts to simple planning: Register for the following “bundles” of trips based on your interests. Art and Architecture: Nightlife: CAS 100-101 Casablanca
    [Show full text]
  • Obtic01c 6DAYS/5NIGHTS CASABLANCA/RABAT/MEKNES-VOLUBILIS-FES/MARRAKECH/CASABLANCA
    OBTIC01c 6DAYS/5NIGHTS CASABLANCA/RABAT/MEKNES-VOLUBILIS-FES/MARRAKECH/CASABLANCA DAY 1: CASABLANCA. You will be met on arrival Casablanca airport by your English-speaking National Guide and transferred to your hotel. As your arrival may be rather early, we shall arrange for you to check-in and relax after your long journey until 11:00 when you will be taken for a tour of this bustling metropolis to visit the exterior of the Dar el Makhzen, or King’s Palace, with its magnificent doors, the New Medina – or Habous area – designed by French architects in the 1930s to resolve a housing crisis and create a modern, twentieth century Kasbah - here to stroll through the reasonably-modern (1923) souk and on past the Pasha’s Mahakma Court of Islamic Law. A visit may be made (previous advice required) to the Beth-El Synagogue, one of the largest and most beautiful noted for its stained glass windows, in the style of Marc Chagall. Sunlight, tinted by stained glass, bounces off a gigantic crystal chandelier creating thousands of shimmering rainbow mosaics on every surface. The ark, the most important thing in the synagogue, houses the Hebrew scrolls and these are dressed in exquisitely embroidered velvet mantles. The walls are inscribed with gilded quotes from the Bible and the ceiling is equally decorative. We continue on to the elegant residential district of Anfa, the original site of Casablanca, with its green parks and Art Deco villas. Anfa hosted the Conference of Casablanca with President Roosevelt and Sir Winston Churchill, during which the date of the Allied landings on the French coasts was fixed for the spring of 1944 and where the somewhat difficult meeting with them and Generals Charles de Gaulle and Henri Giraud took place.
    [Show full text]
  • Luxurious Vip Service SPECIAL Morocco VIP GRAND TOUR 12 Day
    Luxurious Vip Service SPECIAL Morocco VIP GRAND TOUR 12 Day Day1 : Casablanca airport– Casablanca Open arrival Casablanca International airport Welcome and assistance with our ( English speaking guide )and transfer directly to Casablanca . Stop for photos at the Hassan II Mosque Remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Casablanca Day 2: Casablanca Rabat We set out on a 1½ hours’ drive to the administrative Imperial capital since 1912 of the Kingdom of Morocco, Rabat (R’bat al Fat’h) – one of the four Imperial Cities, general the administrative Imperial capital since 1912 of the Kingdom of Morocco, Rabat (R’bat al Fat’h) –Sightseeing you visit the Royal Palace and the Kasbah of the Oudayas in this beautiful coastal city. Overnight in Rabat Day 3: Rabat – Chefchaouen After breakfast, you will depart for Chefchaouen, the famous blue city of Morocco in the Rif Mountains. You will stop for luch at one of the local small town to a kefta barbecue than continue the drive ; Upon arrival in Chefchaouen, you will check into your Riad and have some time to settle in, relax, and explore! Day 4: Chefchaouen – Fes After breakfast we will start out tour in the bleu city and at your convenience , you will set out for the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis. You will spend the morning exploring the 2000-year-old ruins and getting a picture of life during the Roman Empire. Lunch will be taken in Meknes one of Morocco’s Imperial cities. After lunch, your driver will take you to visit the King’s Stables and the Granary, and then you will head off to Fes, the cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco BV ABDELLAH BEN YASSINE CASABLANCA, MOROCCO Luxurious Vip Service Day 5:Fes 0930 Depart for sightseeing of Fez.
    [Show full text]
  • MOROCCO but Sometimes Creative Presence Onmoroccanshores
    © Lonely Planet Publications 784 www.lonelyplanet.com MOROCCO •• History 785 Coast and you’ll be accompanied by a sea breeze that massages the ramparts of wonderful cities whose names – Essaouira, Casablanca, Asilah, Rabat – and atmosphere carry a strong whiff of African magic. Should you instead travel east along Morocco’s Mediterranean Coast, Morocco you’ll be tempted into enchanted towns such as Tetouan and Chefchaouen and the mountains of the Rif. If it’s mountains you love, Morocco has them in abundance, rising from the Rif into the HIGHLIGHTS Middle Atlas and on into the extraordinary contours of the 1000km-long and over 4000m-tall Marrakesh Dive into the clamour and spectacle of Morocco’s most dynamic city ( p800 ) High Atlas. And then, suddenly, everything changes. The mountains fissure into precipitous Fès Lose yourself in the exotic charms of this medieval treasure-trove of sights, sounds earth-coloured gorges, mud-brick kasbahs turn blood-red with the setting sun and the sense and smells ( p805 ) that one has stumbled into a fairy tale takes hold. Essaouira Laze by the sea in Morocco’s coolest resort ( p799 ) Morocco’s secret is simple: there is no place on earth quite like it. Chefchaouen Catch a mountain breeze in this stunning Rif town ( p792 ) Best journey Row across the river (and back a few centuries) from contemporary Rabat HISTORY Hassan II retained all effective power until ( p796 ) to old-fashioned Salé ( p798 ) Most present-day Moroccans are descendents his death in 1999. of indigenous tribes that have inhabited the The new king, Mohammed VI, has adopted Maghreb hills for thousands of years.
    [Show full text]
  • MOROCCO © Lonelyplanetpublications 142 Rocco Hassuchcachet.The Quite It
    © Lonely Planet Publications 142 lonelyplanet.com MOROCCO •• Highlights 143 HIGHLIGHTS HOW MUCH? Morocco Marrakesh ( p178 ) Dive into the clamour and endless spectacle that is Morocco’s Dorm bed US$3.40 to US$5 most dynamic city. Pot of mint tea US$0.60 Fès ( p161 ) Lose yourself in the exotic charms of a medieval city replete with Museum admission US$1.20 sights, sounds and smells. Hammam US$1.20 Essaouira ( p173 ) Laze by the sea in Moroc- Petit-taxi ride US$1.20 Morocco is sensory overload at its most intoxicating, from the scents and sounds that perme- co’s coolest and most evocative resort. ate the medinas of Fès and Marrakesh to the astonishing sights of the landscape. High Atlas ( p185 ) Trek deep into a world LONELY PLANET INDEX of stunning scenery and isolated Berber Morocco has always been a crossroads between Africa, Europe and the Middle East, and villages. 1L petrol US$1.20 nowhere evokes this sense more than Tangier, that faded poster boy for Europe’s often Drâa Valley ( p186 ) Explore Morocco’s 1L bottled water US$0.60 decadent but sometimes creative presence on Moroccan shores. From Tangier, turn south richest collection of kasbahs and then Bottle of Flag US$0.50 to US$0.70 along Morocco’s Atlantic Coast and you’ll be accompanied by a sea breeze that massages soak up the solitude of the Sahara. Souvenir T-shirt US$12 the ramparts of wonderful cities whose names – Essaouira, Casablanca, Asilah, Rabat – and CLIMATE & WHEN TO GO Grilled brochette US$3.40 to US$4.50 atmosphere carry a whiff of African magic.
    [Show full text]
  • 12 Days Morocco Ultimate Luxury Travel Date 03 Mar to 13 March 2020 TOUR INFORMATION MOROCCO
    12 Days Morocco Ultimate Luxury Travel date 03 Mar to 13 March 2020 TOUR INFORMATION MOROCCO INTRODUCTION Having the Atlantic ocean & Mediterranean sea to west and north, the Sahara desert to the south and snow peaked Atlas Mountain ranges siting in the middle, Morocco’s geographic landscape is unbeatable. This diverse and fascinating country home is to a colourful blend of African, Arabic and European cultures, however its native Berber dynasties have managed to retain their own identity in this religious and cultural melting pot, which is what makes a trip to Morocco so authentically rewarding. With our private plane, we bring you directly from the magical blue pearl, Chefchaouen to starry dune of Sahara. In this trip we will explore 4 UNESCO heritage sites; walk through Berber villages that bring you face to face with jaw dropping Atlas Mountain and experience the world’s most luxurious accommodation and Sahara Berber tent exclusively to our group. SPECIALS • Explore the Blue Pearl of Morocco – Chefchaouen; • Chartered Plane from Fez to Sahara to Marrakech; • Unforgettable experience in Luxury Desert Camp; • 2 Nights at Richard Branson’s “heaven on earth” retreat; • Be treated like royalties for 2 nights at the Royal Mansour; • All meals & beverages included (except for premium wine & hard liquor); • Small group size of maximum 16 people; • Tipping to Guide, Driver & Porter included; • Accompanied by Scott Dunn Travel Concierge; • Comprehensive Travel Insurance included DEPARTURE DETAILS ITINERARY DAY BY DAY • Land Tour Price: Twin
    [Show full text]
  • Morocco: Oases, Kasbahs and Medinas
    Morocco: Oases, Kasbahs and Medinas October 31 through November 15, 2010 (including travel days) xperience the exotic and little-known Kingdom of Morocco. Populated by the fierce and indigenous Berbers and conquered by the Arabs 1300 years ago, Morocco is the bridge between Europe and Africa,E the gate to Black Africa, a country where Jews and Muslims have flourished side by side for over 1,000 years. Morocco offers you a glimpse at the Sahara desert, its lush oases and earthen architecture. It offers the magnificent Atlas Mountains and the sophisticated Imperial Cities of Marrakech, Rabat, Meknès and especially Fès—often called the world’s best example of a living medieval city. The Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou silhoutted at dusk, and below, detail of a tile pattern at Volubilis. We will begin the 14 night trip (or 15 if of Arabia or The Sheltering Sky. We will you count the flight over) by leaving the continue up a series of stunning valleys US individually on October 31 to arrive in the High Atlas, reaching Fez after one in Europe on November 1 and connecting overnight stop enroute. In Fez we will be directly for a flight to Marrakech (if spending also four nights, which will give possible) or Casablanca (more likely) us plenty of time to explore its rich and arriving the same day and where you will be teeming medina, and the many Medrasas personally met and escorted to our hotel in (schools with rooms grouped around a Marrakech. We will be there for four nights. courtyard) and old palaces.
    [Show full text]
  • CASABLANCA, MOROCCO Arrive: 0800 Sunday, 23 June Onboard: 1800 Wednesday, 26 June
    CASABLANCA, MOROCCO Arrive: 0800 Sunday, 23 June Onboard: 1800 Wednesday, 26 June Brief Overview: Morocco is an intoxicating blend of sights, smells, and sounds. In Casablanca, the Hassan II Mosque (inaugurated in 1993) is the largest in the world after Mecca. The bazaars and Kasbahs are also fascinating to experience, and Moroccan cuisine is considered by many to be some of the best in the world. Nearby: Rabat is an elegant and modern capital city. It offers visitors a view of the historic grandeur and cultural diversity of Morocco with a smaller, more relaxed Kasbah and medina. Fès: The old-town Medina of Fès will transport the visitor to another century. Citizens still gather at the local well for water, apothecary carts on the streets offer medicinal treatments, and vast open leather-dying pits are a sight to behold. Visit Meknes and explore the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco at Volubilis. Marrakech: The city of Marrakech is a hub of activity with an intriguing Medina and bazaar. It also serves as the inland base for adventures ranging from riding camels through palm groves to experiencing life in a nomad camp. Other Destinations: Adventurers from previous voyages described their trip to the Berber Villages of the High Atlas Mountains as a “transformative experience.” Ouarzazate and the magical Draa Valley also provide opportunities to try a camel trek through the Sahara. Suggested short-cuts to simple planning: Register for the following “bundles” of trips based on your interests. Art and Architecture: Taste of Morocco: Day
    [Show full text]
  • Inside Morocco: a Hands-On Cultural Exploration
    Inside Morocco: A Hands-On Cultural Exploration April 12-22, 2008 DETAILED ITINERARY (subject to amendment) U.S./CASABLANCA Saturday, April 12 Depart the U.S. on the recommended overnight group flight, or independently, to Casablanca. OVERNIGHT FLIGHT (Meals aloft) CASABLANCA/RABAT Sunday, April 13 After an early-morning arrival in the storied city of Casablanca, visit the monumental Mosque of King Hassan II. This modern mosque—the second largest in the world accommodating more than 100,000 worshipers—extends out over the Atlantic Ocean and features a glass floor. Continue by coach to the ancient royal city of Rabat, capital of Morocco, and check into the hotel. After lunch, the afternoon is at leisure. Gather tonight for a festive welcome reception. HOTEL TOUR HASSAN (L,R) RABAT Monday, April 14 Enjoy a morning lecture program with an introduction to Morocco from Smith College faculty leader Jonathan Gosnell, and a guest presentation titled “Islam in Morocco’s Daily Life” at Rabat’s renowned Center for Cross Cultural Learning. After lunch, explore King Hassan II’s Royal Palace and the grand Mausoleum of King Mohammed V, magnificently decorated with intricate stucco carvings and mosaic work. Nearby stands the unfinished 12th-century Tower of Hassan surrounded by the remains of 350 stone columns. Stroll through the lovely 12th-century Andalusian gardens of the Kasbah of the Oudaias. Dine this evening at a local restaurant in the medina, joined by local Smith College alumnae, schedules permitting. HOTEL TOUR HASSAN (B,L,D) RABAT/VOLUBILIS/MEKNES/FEZ Tuesday, April 15 This morning travel to Volubilis, a distant outpost of the Roman Empire dating from the 3rd-century BC, and enjoy a tour of the site’s beautiful and haunting ruins.
    [Show full text]