Fez celebrations to highlight women's contribution to cultural heritage

2008-05-23

The Moroccan woman will be honoured in a series of events in Fez, as part of the larger programme to celebrate the city's 1,200 years of history.

By Imane Belhaj for Magharebia in Casablanca – 23/05/08

[Imane Belhaj] The "12 Centuries since the Foundation of Fez" association will continue its celebrations of Moroccan history by highlighting women's contributions to the country's cultural heritage.

The "12 Centuries since the Foundation of Fez" association will continue its celebrations of Moroccan history by arranging events on the feminine perspective on history on May 30th and June 1st.

"To celebrate the history of this ancient city is to celebrate of the history of the kingdom, and enhance the spirit of Fez that lives in the hearts of all Moroccans," Saad Kettani, High Commissioner of the association, said.

At a press conference in Casablanca Monday (May 19th) to announce the events, Kettani said the purpose is to highlight women's contributions to the country's ancient historic and cultural heritage.

The event is part of a series of activities nurtured by the scientific capital of the kingdom, intended to engage all Moroccans, be they young people or women, to commemorate the historic anniversary and maintain Morocco's strong cultural legacy.

Kettani said the main characteristic of the 1,200th anniversary celebrations is the historic establishment of an Amazigh and Arab mélange on Islamic lands. "Our objective is to go back to history and to remind Moroccans, whether home or abroad, of their identity," he said. "They should learn to appreciate the values of tolerance, co-existence, accepting others and respecting differences."

Naima Khatib Boujibar, former delegate of the Ministry of Culture and the first woman to tackle Moroccan heritage in the 1960s, explained that women have always figured prominently in Morocco's cultural development, even though the record was written by men. She cited influential figures like Kenza, daughter of Ishaq ben Mohammed, of the Amazigh tribe, wife of Idris I, and mother of Idris II, the founder of the city of Fez. There was also Zaynab, the Queen of Marrakech, wife of Youssef Ibn Tachfin, and Mujihida Chefchaouen, and Khanata daughter of Bent Bakkar, wife of Moulay Ismail, founder of the city of Meknes.

The displays will present themes related to women’s political history, their contributions in the religious domain as well as their skills in areas of creativity, arts and cuisines.

Malika Aknazi, an artist, said Moroccan women made history through handmade creations triggered by the needs of everyday life. She spoke of some Moroccan women's contributions in the field of plastic arts, relying on talent and instinct, long before academic training was available.

The event will also shed light on women's presence in Moroccan music and other fields such as cooking and social activities. Young people will also be treated to a three-day women's visual arts exhibition at the Karaouine Library, where paintings will reflect a brief biography of the various women who have left an indelible mark on Moroccan history.

Celebrations include a global seminar on the feminine perspective of history, a women's concert bringing female performers from all over Morocco, and displays of women's horsemanship, and exhibitions of traditional women's attire. The celebration will be concluded by a visit to the historic monuments of Fez.