The city of Fez celebrates 1200 years of existence in grand style

03/04/2008

Twelve centuries after Morocco's "cultural capital" was founded, the whole country is celebrating Fez. A musical extravaganza this weekend and activities throughout the kingdom are aimed at helping young people become proud of their country's history.

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 03/04/08

[File] Fez will mark its 1200th anniversary with a musical extravaganza at Place Bab Boujloud and a number of other activities designed to highlight the imperial city's status as "cultural capital of Morocco".

A grandiose musical celebration will be held April 5th in Fez to mark the 1200th anniversary of the imperial city's foundation. The sound and light spectacular comes as part of a series of cultural, educational and artistic events planned throughout the kingdom in 2008, particularly in Fez and the other imperial cities of Marrakech, Meknès and Rabat, to commemorate twelve centuries of Morocco’s history.

Saad Kettani, the high commissioner of the association responsible for planning the Fez anniversary gala, said the event will focus its attention on young people to make them proud of belonging to an ancient nation deeply rooted in history.

The city of Fez, known as the "cultural capital of Morocco", was founded in 808 by Idriss II. Fez represents "the start of the happy marriage between our Amazigh roots and Arabic-Muslim influences which, throughout the later history of Morocco, have been the very bedrock of 'Moroccanness'," Kettani noted.

By drawing on collective memories and history and through sharing a vision of the city's cultural diversity and creative richness, organisers see the national celebration of Morocco's past as a means to launch it on the road to the future. The historical content will focus on sending out messages promoting knowledge and citizenship and will highlight the fundamental values of tolerance, openness, creativity and modernity.

"This commemoration is the fruit of several months of work put in by a multi-disciplinary team which has dreamt up a rich and varied range of activities," Kettani said.

The festivities will revolve around several themes: "1st Regional Capital of Morocco", "The Islam of Spirituality and Tolerance", "Al-Qaraouiyine and the Religious Sciences", "The Feminine Perspective on History", "An Ethnic Convergence" and "A Crossroads for Academic Learning and Popular Know-How".

The activities will be aimed at all Moroccans, men and women alike, but above all at the younger generations. In the towns and in the country, at school and at university, at leisure venues and through national and international media, organisers are encouraging everyone to become involved. They want to whip up as much enthusiasm as possible for the country's long history, in a spirit of fun and celebration, openness and community.

Those living in the city could not be happier at the celebration of such an event. Student Faouzia Koumiri said it is time to return the spiritual capital to its rightful place, rekindling the memories of a city which has produced so many historical riches.

"Young people must be proud of their history. It’s an opportunity to learn how the city has developed through the centuries," she said.

The musical concert, which begins the "1200th Anniversary of the Rising of the Moroccan Kingdom and the Foundation of Fez City" celebration, will be held in the Place Bab Boujloud on Saturday before an invited audience from home and abroad.