The Marrakech Popular Arts Festival
The annual Marrakech Popular Arts Festival starts this weekend, it's celebrating its 45th year. For a whole week, this already lively city will be filled with folk singers, dancers, fortune-tellers, acting troupes, snake charmers, fire-swallowers and more, from all over Morocco. Since 2000 the festival has also attracted many artists and entertainers from Europe and Asia. The main events take place in the ruins of the 16 century Badi Palace and the Djemma el-Fna (main town square). Not to be missed, outside the city walls at night, is the Fantasia. A horse-riding spectacle that includes hundreds of charging horsemen (and women) wearing traditional clothing.
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Marrakesh Popular Arts Festival: a guide to Morocco’s festival of street performers
Marrakesh Popular Arts Festival: a guide to Morocco’s festival of street performers
Level of participation: 2 – sip a mint tea and take in the Maghrebi culture
With snake-charmers and marketers cawing ‘lovely jubbly’ at passing English tourists on Djemaa el-Fna square, bustling Marrakesh is rather like a year-round festival. The colour and pace intensify during the Popular Arts Festival, when performers from across the North African nation use the city as an al fresco venue.
Sauntering across Djemaa el-Fna in search of the dreamy orange juice stands, you come across even more fire-swallowers, fortune-tellers and folk singers than usual. Look out for Berber musicians and dancers from the High Atlas, Andalucían-style songsters from the Spanish-influenced north, and the hypnotic Gnaouas drummers from the south.
The main gathering point for performers from acting troupes to acrobats is Palais el-Badi. Built by Ahmed al-Mansour between 1578 and 1602, the now-ruined palace was reputed to be one of the most beautiful in the world and well deserved its name, the Incomparable. Every evening, a fantasia (choreographed military display on Arabian horses) takes place in a field near the palace.
Local attractions: a pavilion in Palais el-Badi houses a 12th-century treasure, the beautifully restored minbar (pulpit) from the Koutoubia that inspired so many Arab and Andalucían poets.
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Level of participation: 2 – sip a mint tea and take in the Maghrebi culture
With snake-charmers and marketers cawing ‘lovely jubbly’ at passing English tourists on Djemaa el-Fna square, bustling Marrakesh is rather like a year-round festival. The colour and pace intensify during the Popular Arts Festival, when performers from across the North African nation use the city as an al fresco venue.
Sauntering across Djemaa el-Fna in search of the dreamy orange juice stands, you come across even more fire-swallowers, fortune-tellers and folk singers than usual. Look out for Berber musicians and dancers from the High Atlas, Andalucían-style songsters from the Spanish-influenced north, and the hypnotic Gnaouas drummers from the south.
The main gathering point for performers from acting troupes to acrobats is Palais el-Badi. Built by Ahmed al-Mansour between 1578 and 1602, the now-ruined palace was reputed to be one of the most beautiful in the world and well deserved its name, the Incomparable. Every evening, a fantasia (choreographed military display on Arabian horses) takes place in a field near the palace.
Local attractions: a pavilion in Palais el-Badi houses a 12th-century treasure, the beautifully restored minbar (pulpit) from the Koutoubia that inspired so many Arab and Andalucían poets.
morocco culture,moroccan food,morocco food,moroccan cuisine,morocco beaches,moroccan meal,beaches in morocco,moroccan culture,hercules cave,hercules cave morocco
Marrakech Popular Arts Festival
Marrakech Popular Arts Festival
Marrakech popular arts festival is an annual fair that takes several days featuring artists from diverse corners of Morocco, Africa, Asia, Europe and other parts of the world. It is normally held in the month of July, attracting artists, dancers, fortune tellers, theatre groups, snake charmers and other artists; placing it on the world map as one of the world’s most celebrated art events and among the most popular galas in Morocco.
Marrakech -Folklore group
The major events of the festival are performed at the historical El Badi Palace ruins, which hold rich historical significance to Moroccans; having been constructed for a whopping 25 years, only to be destroyed in 1600s by Moulay Ismai who built another palace in Meknes. Place Djemaa El Fna, Marrakech’s main square also plays host to a number of events. At the square, there are so many things to see and do; loads of cafes and food stalls, elegant shops and sellers, ideal for those who love shopping. Furthermore, Djemaa El Fna has always been home to scores of traditional entertainers; magicians, snake charmers and storytellers.
Moroccan festivals are synonymous with music, dance and art. Attendees of the Marrakech popular arts festival should expect ancient folk dancers, belly dancers, pop and fusion musicians and traditional Berber musician, not forgetting Fantasia that is held outside the city walls.
Attending the Marrakech popular arts festival would be incomplete without a relaxing and peaceful walk in the attractive Majorelle Gardens. The palm and olive trees in Menara gardens are also perfect spots to relax in the evening while on a break from the festival.
Accommodation is in plenty; you can opt to stay in one of the well managed hostels or hotels in Marrakech available, the rates are affordable, although they might be slightly higher during the festivals. Marrakech is definitely the place to learn the Moroccan culture, sing and dance to their music and generally, get entertained for a perfect respite and amusement.
morocco culture,moroccan food,morocco food,moroccan cuisine,morocco beaches,moroccan meal,beaches in morocco,moroccan culture,hercules cave,hercules cave morocco
Marrakech popular arts festival is an annual fair that takes several days featuring artists from diverse corners of Morocco, Africa, Asia, Europe and other parts of the world. It is normally held in the month of July, attracting artists, dancers, fortune tellers, theatre groups, snake charmers and other artists; placing it on the world map as one of the world’s most celebrated art events and among the most popular galas in Morocco.Marrakech -Folklore group
The major events of the festival are performed at the historical El Badi Palace ruins, which hold rich historical significance to Moroccans; having been constructed for a whopping 25 years, only to be destroyed in 1600s by Moulay Ismai who built another palace in Meknes. Place Djemaa El Fna, Marrakech’s main square also plays host to a number of events. At the square, there are so many things to see and do; loads of cafes and food stalls, elegant shops and sellers, ideal for those who love shopping. Furthermore, Djemaa El Fna has always been home to scores of traditional entertainers; magicians, snake charmers and storytellers.
Moroccan festivals are synonymous with music, dance and art. Attendees of the Marrakech popular arts festival should expect ancient folk dancers, belly dancers, pop and fusion musicians and traditional Berber musician, not forgetting Fantasia that is held outside the city walls.
Attending the Marrakech popular arts festival would be incomplete without a relaxing and peaceful walk in the attractive Majorelle Gardens. The palm and olive trees in Menara gardens are also perfect spots to relax in the evening while on a break from the festival.
Accommodation is in plenty; you can opt to stay in one of the well managed hostels or hotels in Marrakech available, the rates are affordable, although they might be slightly higher during the festivals. Marrakech is definitely the place to learn the Moroccan culture, sing and dance to their music and generally, get entertained for a perfect respite and amusement.
morocco culture,moroccan food,morocco food,moroccan cuisine,morocco beaches,moroccan meal,beaches in morocco,moroccan culture,hercules cave,hercules cave morocco
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