Posts Tagged ‘Fes Historical Tour’

How Does the Ramadan Fast Affect Tourists in Morocco. Your Morocco Travel Guide

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

Men At Prayer During Ramadan

How does the Ramadan fast affect tourists traveling to the Imperial Cities, the Sahara Desert and other regions of Morocco during this high holy holiday? Can tourists eat or drink in public during Ramadan?  This article should clear up the confusion on this issue for tourists, to explain the most polite solutions for tourist behavior at this time, and to assure tourists that there is no problem with them visiting Morocco during Ramadan.

Because the Islamic calendar is lunar, holidays such as Ramadan advance by approximately ten days with each subsequent year.  This means that Ramadan makes a cycle through the entire calendar of twelve months each twenty-some years.  This year, Ramadan started on August 12th, 2010 in Morocco.  The fast presently starts in Morocco at approximately 4:30 AM, and ends in the evening at approximately 7:30 PM.

Islamic Lunar Calendar

Tourists in Morocco during Ramadan often hear that some people are not required to fast because of sickness, or health conditions such as diabetes, as well as women having their menstration.  But non-Muslim tourists are often confused about the polite way to behave with Muslims during Ramadan; what tourists are permitted to do, or not do; and tourists wonder which stories they hear are true, or not true.

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca Morocco

Morocco’s Ramadan Law:

It IS actually true that Morocco’s laws prohibit “a person commonly known to be Muslim” from “violating the fast in a public place during Ramadan.”  It is called the Ramadan Law, and is under Article 222 of the Moroccan Penal Code.  (This law also applies to Muslim tourists coming from known Muslim countries, such as Saudi Arabia, if they were to flaunt the fast in public.)   The penalties are from one to six months in prison and a fine of up to approximately 100 Euros.  The law states that the only Muslims who are exempt from this requirement are children, the elderly, the sick;  and pregnant, lactating or menstruating women.

Sometimes one can read about small protests that take place in Morocco against this law.  The truth is, while this law is on the books, people are rarely prosecuted.  Usually, if there is a token protest, the police do their best to try to prevent the protesters from arriving at the protest location, instead of arresting them.

Remember, it is NOT forbidden by law  to EAT during Ramadan (even though it IS socially unacceptable for Muslims who should be fasting), which means that Muslims who decide not to fast in their own homes will incur no penalties (other than sin against God).  The law is very specific saying that Muslims “shall not violate the fast in a PUBLIC place.”  Keeping the fast is difficult, and becomes much more difficult if people actively break it in front of others who are fasting.  Therefore, the reason for this law is two-fold:  to make it easier for those who are fasting, as well as to both teach the young, and communicate the idea to all Muslims that breaking the fast is most definitely not socially acceptable.  This goes right along with several other laws in Morocco which prohibit certain behavior IN PUBLIC PLACES by Muslims (discussed below).

The whole key here is PUBLIC PLACE.  Let’s explore what this means.

Women Shopping During Ramadan

Those Excused from Fasting:

Children are not required to fast at all, although older children (8-12) might be encouraged to try it on a couple of special days during the month.  But no child is FORCED to fast those days.  Those who do usually try hard to get through the day because it gives them the feeling of being “grown up.”  They see the adults doing it, and they want to be part of that adult world, to feel respected and admired for doing so.

Younger children would never be encouraged to fast, even on those one or two special days.  They are still growing and Islam clearly recognizes that fasting is not good for their growing bodies.  If you go to a semi-private location, such as a swimming pool at a private club, you will find all the Muslim mothers feeding their children during the day, and no one objects to this.  But they are not eating out on the public street.  Muslim mothers certainly feed their children at home during the day, as well.

The elderly DO fast.  Elderly people fast unless they are in extremely poor health.  In many cases, doctors even advise them not to fast, but many of them do it anyway.  They do it because they feel there is moral value in fasting, and in many cases, it is a case of self-respect.  Some very elderly or infirm people give up fasting, but very rarely.

Sick (or injured) people are not to fast.  The question becomes how sick or injured one must be.  If blood comes out of one’sbody, such as if someone cuts themself in the kitchen with a knife accidentally, that would invalidate their fast for that day.  But the question is how much.  Suppose a man gets a tiny knick from his razor, is that enough to invalidate the fast?  Supposedly not.  But since that becomes questionable depending upon the size of the knick, many Muslim men shave in the evening during Ramadan, just in case.

People with serious health conditions such as diabetes can fast and are encouraged to do so if their illness is not severe and they have it properly under control.  Those with more advanced or severe diabetes are often told by doctors that they should not fast, yet some of them do anyway.  It seems to be a question of pride (or even showing off to others that they “can” do it) and maintaining respect both in their own eyes and from others, particularly if they are not old.  Some diabetics insist on fasting and even fall into comas because of it, yet continue to fast anyway.  Most Muslims, if questioned about these people insist that they most definitely should not be fasting.

People who are just a little bit sick (a light cold, headache, even sore throat, or ear infection) still have to fast.  If someone had a fever, they would be excused from fasting.  Malingering, when someone is just very slightly ill or not feeling their best is definitely not an acceptable excuse.

Pregnant women are not supposed to fast, but in fact, many do.  This is because pregnant women are supposed to make up the fasting days later in the year on their own.  The explanation given by some Moroccan women for fasting while pregnant is that, “I would not be able to make up all those days on my own.”  However, this behavior is most definitley not condoned by Islam.

Lactating women are not supposed to fast either, and are also required to make up the days on their own.

Menstruating women are not required to fast.  Most women find these days a welcome break during the middle of fasting.  However, if they are working in a company with mixed Moroccan and foreign workers, they will not join others in the lunchroom who are not fasting, even if they themselves are eating during those days; instead they wait, and eat at home.  The reason is interesting.  They say that if a man at their workplace sees them eating, he will know it is their time of the month.  They say they don’t like their male co-workers knowing this personal information!  Therefore, they don’t eat at work.  They must also make up those fasting days later in the year.

There is one guide book about Morocco which says something which is completely wrong. It says that in the days before Ramadan, you start to see some of the women and older people fasting a few days before Ramadan, in order to “practice” and be habituated  when Ramadan starts.  This reasoning is wrong.  What IS correct is that they are making up missed days from the year before, as those days need to be completely made up before the new Ramadan fast begins (or they are answerable to God for each day not made up).  Some elderly people could be making up days they missed.  A few, extremely devout people do fast a few extra days, as they feel they will earn “extra points” with God for doing a few extra days of fasting.

Ladies in Djemaa El Fna Square, Ramadan

About Public Spaces in Morocco:

The Ramadan Law is not the only law relating to public space in Morocco.

A similar law (and similarly confusing to many tourists) is about alcohol.   In places like Agadir on the boardwalk next to the beach, or in bars located in other cities, there is sometimes an outdoor section where clients can sit and order drinks.  In some locations, tourists can order a beer or glass of wine and drink it while seated in the outdoor section.  While Muslims can also order a beer or glass of wine (except during Ramadan or other Muslim holdiays when it is strictly prohibited), they must sit inside to drink it.  Those Muslims who are sitting outside are only drinking coffee or other non-alcoholic drinks.

Is this hypocrisy?  Most tourists think so.  However, Moroccans feel it is proper because being a Muslim country it is more offensive to Muslims in the street to see other Muslims consuming alcohol than it is for them to see non-Muslims consuming it.  It is a bit like vulgar words being bleeped out on broadcast American TV.  Everyone knows they are saying vulgar words, but at least Americans don’t have to hear those words.  It’s a similar situation.  Muslims in the street know that others are inside consuming alcohol, but at least they don’t have to see other Muslims doing it.

The Ramadan Law has a similar reasoning.  People can eat if they want to, but if you’re Muslim, you are just forbidden from doing so in PUBLIC.

Chebekia Moroccan Pastry Eaten At Ramadan

A Guide for Tourist Behavior During Ramadan:

Understanding these factors, what should non-Muslim tourists do?  Out of respect, they should follow similar behavior as Muslims who would be diabetic, or ill, or pregnant.

These Muslims would eat at home.  If they were sick while out somewhere, yet needed to eat or drink, they would go in a private place where no one would see them (a few people might go into a restroom if there were no other place, but only as a last resort).  Very few restaurants would be open during the day, but tourists would find a few, primarily in hotels.  Both Muslims and tourists could buy water at a shop, but should not just open it and drink it in front of everyone.  Instead, they should find a place to drink privately, not in public.  (One Moroccan Muslim man was attacked in Fes two years ago by civilian vigilantes for drinking water in the medina street, arrested, and subsequently released when his family proved he was diabetic.  But it’s clear he was pushing the boundaries of acceptable behavior, and would have known it.  He could easily have explained in advance he was diabetic, and asked anyone if there was a private place where he could sip his water.)  So this is no reason for tourists to be alarmed.

If a tourist and were openly eating and drinking during Ramadan, people would most likely just give him dirty looks, understanding that he was a tourist.  But the polite and respectful thing to do would be for him to eat and drink well before going out.  It is advisable for tourists to take water in their bag, by all means, but just find a private place to drink it.  If a tourist needs to eat, he / she shouldn’t do it in public.  It’s perfectly acceptable for tourists to eat in any restaurant you find that is open, and these are most likely to be found in hotels or known tourist locations.

Harira & Dates, Breafkast (L'Ftour) Ramadan

Ramadan can actually be a very interesting time to visit a Muslim country.  After dark, families go out late, and plenty of interesting things go on until quite late in the evening.  Just be considerate of people during this month.  The Ramadan Law is actually just asking (and ensuring) that Muslims also continue to treat each other respectfully.

For more information about traveling to Morocco’s Imperial Cities or Sahara Desert During Ramadan

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside Resorts,Sahara DesertBerber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & WaterfallsAbsolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate

Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or 1 (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

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Fes Festival of Sacred World Sacred Music Trip, A Travel Exploration Morocco Tour, Your Morocco Travel & Tour Guide

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

The 16th Edition of the Fes Festival of World Sacred World Music will take place in Fes, Morocco from June 4th -12th, 2010. Travel Exploration Morocco offers a tour to the Fes Festival for 11 Days/ 10 Nights that includes the opportunity to visit the Best of Morocco while enjoying Music at the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music.

The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music Morocco Tour Itinerary gives Moroccan Travelers the opportunity to discover Morocco’s Imperial Cities in a 4×4 on a Private Morocco Tour visiting Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes, Meknes and the Roman Ruins of Volubilis while basking their ears in International World Music alongside Traditional and Contemporary Moroccan music traditions.

Fes-Festival-Of-World-Sacred-Music-Sephardic-Concert

The Fès Festival of World Sacred Music is 9-day celebration held in June that takes place in the Imperial city of Fès. The Fès Festival has featured wide range of global musicians such as: Miriam Makeba, Ismael Lô, Mohamed Abdou, Tartit Women’s Ensemble, Ghada Shbéïr, Sabah Fakrih, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Jan Garbarek and The Hilliard Ensemble and the Whirling Dervishes of Konya, Turkey. Performers like Youssou N’Dour, Ravi Shakar and Salif Keita have been juxtaposed with less known musical genres such as Japanese Gagaku, Indonesian Gamelan and folk music from Central Asia.

The Fes Festival of Sacred World Music Tour Includes:
► Intimate afternoon concerts at the Dar Batha Museum and its surrounding Andalusian gardens.
► Art, film exhibitions and poetry readings at the Dar Bartha Museum and other locations in Fès.
►A one-day excursion to the Roman ruins of Volubilis for a musical performance.
► Evening concerts at the Bab Makina Palace courtyard.
►Sufi nights: Sufi music rituals concerts that begin at midnight performed in the Dar Tazi gardens.

JOIN A FES FESTIVAL OF SACRED WORLD MUSIC GROUP TOUR OR VISIT FES ON A PRIVATE MOROCCO TOUR

FES FESTIVAL OF WORLD SACRED MUSIC – TOUR ITINERARY – 11 DAYS OF PURE AVENTURE

DAY 1:  CASABLANCA
►Start your morning off with coffee and baguettes at one of the cafès at Parc de La Ligue Arabe, a huge garden with avenues lined with tall palm trees, ficus, arcades, pergolas and flower beds. Visit Place Mohammed V and the Place des Nations Uniones, the main focal points of Ville Novelle,Casa’s new town.

►Visit the famous residential blocks: the Glaoui, the Bessonneau and the Asayag. The Boulevard links Place des Nationes with the railway station and is the gateway to the central market. Continue a short way to the Avenue des Forces Royal, a commercial area that leads into the old medina. See the squala, a fortified 18th century bastion.

►Enjoy lunch at one of the international restaurants by Casa’s port, the Corniche.

Casablanca-Hassan-II-Mosque

►After lunch visit the Mosque of Hassan II. Casablanca is home to the Hassan II Mosque, designed by the French architectMichel Pinseau. It is situated on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic, which can be seen through a gigantic glass floor with room for 25,000 worshippers.A further 80,000 can be accommodated in the mosque’s courtyard. Its minaret is the world’s tallest at 210 meters. On Fridays, the Mosque of Hassan II is open to non-Muslims.

►After touring the Mosque of Hassan II, head over to the New Town of Casablanca also designed by the French architect Henri Prost. The main streets of the New Town (Ville Nouvelle in French) radiate south and east from Place des Nations Unies, where the main market of Anfa had been. Their style is a combination of Hispano-Mauresque and Art Deco styles. End the day with a visit to The Parc de la Ligue Arabe (formally called Lyautey) which is the city’s largest public park. On its edge is situated the Cathedrale du Sacré Coeur, which is disused, but is a splendid example of Mauresque architecture.

►After touring Casa, take the road to Fès and arrive in the early evening and settle in at your hotel.

►Enjoy dinner at Le Maison Bleu, one of the most elegant Fassis restaurants with traditional music.

Moulay-Idriss

DAY 2:  FES – MOULAY IDRISS – VOLUBILIS
►After a traditional Moroccan breakfast travel on a two hour excursion outside of Fès to explore the breathtaking archaeological site of Volubilis (Walili). Once occupied by the Romans, Volubilis has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site and gained international acclaim when Martin Scorsese made it a feature location for his film, The Last Temptation of Christ. Begin your visit by discovering the fascinating Romanruins adorned with beautiful mosaics and colorful tiles depicting Roman mythology.

►The ruins are spread out across several acres and what remains visible is several fragments of wall, parts of massive columns, the capitol, the basilica and a triumphal arch. You can view how the Roman Empire transformed the original Carthaginian settlement into a typical Roman city complete with mansions, a town center, a triumphal arc and temples devoted to the Roman gods.

► Explore the sacred town filled with defensive walls, a monumental gate, koranic schools, fountains and a new dome for the mausoleum. While the Tomb of Moulay Idriss is closed to non-Muslims, from the terrace near the Mosque of Sidi Abdallah el Hajjam, you can see views of the town and the mausoleum.

►Enjoy light fare for lunch at the small café that sits just below the Volubilis ruins.

►Depart back to Fès where you will enjoy an evening Festival performance.

DAY 3: FES
►After a breakfast of Semolina break, fruit, coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice, your day will begin at the Merenid Tombs of Fès. Standing among olive trees and blue agaves, the 16th century elegant ruins of marble and epitaphs face a breathtaking view of the Fès. Visit the Musée des Armes.

►Next, enter the Fès el- Bali through the symmetrical horse shoe arches at Bab Boujeloud (The Blue Gate). Fès -el Bali, best characterized as a sea of rooftops embellished with minarets and domes, is too narrow for cars. Aside from walking, donkeys and mules are still the best way to travel within the cities old walls.

►Upon entering Rue Talaa Kebira, the main street in the medina, you will see lines of shops covered by canopies. Make your way to the Karaouiyine Mosque. Located in the Karaouiyine quarter, the Mosque is one of the oldest in the world and functioned as the first university in Morocco. After your visit, continue along the streets which will lead you to some of Fès’ most important buildings including Dar el- Magana, a 14th centurywater clock and Zaouia el Tijaniya, containing the tomb of Ahmed el Tijani. Next we will visit the UNESCO recognized site, Fondouk el- Najjarine.

►Lunch within the medina at one of the fine Moroccan palace-restaurants that serve mezas (small plates of food) common among Fassis tradition. Enjoy mezas of Choukchouka salad, Zaalouk salad, Carrots with Cumin Seed, raisin and orange salad, cold radish, orange, and fennel Salad. The mezas are traditionally followed by the main meal which will include the option of a: Lamb, Prune, and Date Tagine, a Chicken Tagine with Olives and Preserved Lemons or a Vegetable Tagine. For desert you will be served with fruit/ or local Moroccan pastries along with Mint Tea.

Fes-Metalsmith

Within the medina, we will the following historical sites:

Medersa Bou Inania: An (Islamic school) founded by Abu Inan Faris that is highly decorated from floor to ceiling. The medersa is one of the few religious places in Morocco that is accessible to non-Islamic tourists.

Kairaouine Mosque: Morocco’s second largest mosque was built by Fatima in 857. The Kairaouine Mosque became the home of the West’s first university and the world’s foremost center of learning at the beginning of the second millennium.

University of Al-Karaouine: Founded in 859, this university is one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Muslim world and is considered the oldest continuously operating institution of higher learning in the world.

Medersa el Attarin: A (Koranic school) that was named for local spice merchants known as attar. Founded by Sultan Abou Saïd in the 14th century as a students’ dormitory, it is attached to the Kairaouine Mosque.

Zaouia Moulay Idriss II: A zaouia (shrine) dedicated to and the tomb of Moulay Idriss II, who ruled Morocco from 807 to 828 and founded the city of Fès for the second time in 810.

Dar Batha: A Hispano-Moorish palace dating from the end of the 19th century that houses admirable collections of traditional art from Fès.

DAY 4: FES – MEKNES
►After a breakfast begin your tour of Meknes at Bab Mansour. We will take the road from Fès to Meknès.

►We will stop and visit the Musée Dar Jamaï, a museum showing modern Moroccan arts, woodwork, ceramics, carpets, costumes, jewelry and metalwork. Next, we will stop by Bou Inania Medersa to explore the beautiful Koranic school established by the Merinids in the 14th century. Opposite of the Medersa, is the Grand Mosque.

►Browse Rue de Souks, a street filled with hardware merchants (akarir), corn chandlers (bezzazine) and metalsmiths (haddadin). Next we will stop at the En-Nejjarine Mosque, a 12th century Almohad built structure. View the zellij tilework of the Bab el-Berdaïne gateway.

►Among the most impressive elements of this imperial city is the grand gate named after the architect, El-Mansour, a Christian renegade who converted to Islam. It was completed 5 years after Moulay Ismail’s death, in 1732. The design of the gate plays with Almohad patterns. It has zellij mosaics of excellent quality. The marble columns were taken from the Roman ruins of Volubilis. The gate was finished after Moulay Ismail’s death and is now used as an arts and crafts gallery with an entrance by the side gate.

►Lunch in the heart of the medina at Zitouna, a charming restaurant serving traditional Moroccan cuisine.

► Explore Dar el-Kebira, a fortified quarter that is known as the imperial city. Visit the palaces and mosques located within the heart of Ksar Dar el-Kebira, the heart of the Imperial city. Dar el-Keibra features a suite of three rooms, twelve columns and a sanctuary hosting the tyrannical sultan, the tombs are reminiscent of the Saadian Tombs in Marrakesh. Next, drive to see Koubba el-Khayatine and Habs Qara, an imperial pavilion that once received diplomats who came to negotiate the ransom of Christian prisoners. Continue on to see Dar el Makhzen, the “Palace of Labyrinths” and then to Bassin de l’Aguedal, a water tank built to supply water to the palace and imperial city. Before returning to Fès, we will visit the well known Haras de Meknès, the largest national stud that can accommodate up to two-hundred and thirty one horses. Created in 1912, Haras de Meknès promotes the best breeds of horses to be used during a fantasia or competitive horse races.

►Evening Fès Fèstival performance.

DAY 5: EXPLORE FES VILLE NOUVELLE
►After breakfast drive to Ville Nouvelle, the new town dating from the French Protectorate that lies south of Fès el Bali. Originally the shopping center was designed to accommodate westerners living in Morocco, however, today it is considered to be a modern Moroccan city.

►Have lunch in one of the out door cafes in Ville Nouvelle then explore the shops in the new town.

►In the morning, visitors can participate in round table discussions covering topics related to the theme of the Fèstival. In the afternoon, evening, and late at night, there are concerts given by performers arriving from every angle of the globe. The musical spectrum heard includes early European classical, Sufi ritual songs and trance music, Arab-Andalusian rhythms, a Bulgarian orthodox choir, Hindustani chants,Celtic sacred music, Christian Gospel, Swedish chamber choir, Pakistani Qawwali incantations, Egyptian madhi odes, flamenco-style Christian saeta, ancient Indian gwalior chants and Turkish whirling dervishes.

►Traditionally, the Festival’s afternoon concerts take place by the Dar Batha Museum, which is set amidst a beautiful Andalusian garden and has a backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. During the evening concerts are held at the Bab Makina and Palace Boujeloud.  Every evening at midnight, there are free “Sufi Nights”. These highly popular Sufi ritual trance performances are held at the Dar Tazi Palacegardens where Sufi brotherhoods like the Hamadcha, the Aissaoua and The Master Musicians of Jajouka perform while you relax on Berber rugs and sip mint tea.

DAY 6: FES- MOULAY YACOUB
►After breakfast drive to the hot springs of Moulay Yacoub. The springs of Moulay Yacoub are known for their healing powers. Located in a small, Berber village at the foothills of the Rif mountains Moulay Yacoub is a relaxing Spa excursion.

►Return to Fès for afternoon concerts.  Dinner at your hotel. Festival events. Sufi Nights at Dar Tazi Palace

DAY 7: FES SEFROU – B’HALIL
►After breakfast, drive to the ancient Jewish city of Sefrou. This city predates Fès by one thousand years. Sefrou has played a large role as the last stop of Subsaharan caravans transporting goods for the European markets.

►Visit the shrine of Sidi Lahcen Al Yussi a well venerated Sufi master considered to be the custodian of this ancient outpost.  Other Rabbi’s Mausoleums and synagogues will also be part of this journey into antiquity.  On our way back to Fès we will stop to visit the ancient Christian village of B’halilknown for its fascinating troglodytes (cave) dwellings. Evening:  Festival events. Sufi Nights at Dar Tazi Palace.

DAY 8: FES
►Visit the Andalucian part of the Fès Medina to discover the history of the Moors who immigrated to Morocco from Spain in the 13th century.

►Afternoon concerts at Dar Batha.  Evening: Closing ceremony of Fès Festival.

DAY 9: FES KHENIFRA – MARRAKECH
►Depart Fès via Azrou and Khenifra across the Middle Atlas Mountains. Visit Berber villages, scenic views and local markets.

►Lunch in Khenifra. Dinner and accommodation in Marrakesh.

DAY 10:  BEST OF MARRAKECH GUIDED TOUR
►Depart from your hotel. Your introduction to Marrakesh will begin in the Medina, the old quarter of the Marrakesh. From here we will explore this historically charming area by foot. In Djemma el Fna, you will visit the famous 12th century Koutouba Mosque and its influential minaret.

►Explore the aromatic streets, taste the fresh squeeze orange juice and venture into the souks (shops) specializing in Berber carpets, silver jewelry, artisan workshops,handmade shoes, tanneries, etc.  Marrakesh is a city of underground channels built by the architects from Cordoba, Spain to provide water for the town and Palmery. We will drive to the Lower Medina to explore more of Marrakesh’s secrets: El Mansour mosque, the sixteenth century Saadian Tombs with its stark towers, the ruined 16th century El Badhi palace, and the Mellah and the Jewish quarter.

►Enjoy a three- course lunch at one of Marrakesh most delectable restaurants. After lunch we will head north of the Mellah to visit the 19th centuryBahia palace, originally built for Si Moussa, a former slave who became King Moulay Hassan’s chamberlain. The palace holds a courtyard and riads decorated with intricately carved stucco and Arabic architecture. Next we will visit the contemporary Moroccan Art Museum or Tiskiwin, a private museum dedicated to popular arts & crafts, a Spanish-Moroccan house, next door to Dar Si Said palace, a smaller version of the Bahia.

►Next we will visit the new city, French, Gueliz, the garden district, and then head to the Majorelle Gardens, a lush garden estate designed by Jacque Majorelle and maintained by Yves Saint Laurent. The Majorelle Garden is filled with colorful walkways, ponds, cactus and plants as well as a beautiful shop with hand-made goods. On our return to your hotel, we will pass by the La Mammounia Hotel Garden (where Alfred Hitchcock wrote the famous film The Birds)

DAY 11:  MARRAKECH CASABLANCA
►Early morning transfer to Casablanca Airport. This ends your Fes Festival of Sacred World Music & Morocco Travel Tour.

Bauls-of-Bengal-Fes-Festival-2010-Artist

FES FESTIVAL OF WORLD SACRED MUSIC PROGRAM
2010
Fesi Festival of World Sacred Music Dates: June 4th -10th, 2010

June 4th
Bab Makina 20h30
Royal Ballet of Cambodia (Cambodia) The Legend of the Creation of the Khmer Kingdom

June 5th
Batha Museum 16h00
The Young Gotipuras Dancers (India) Ritual acrobatic dance from the temples of Orissa

Bab Makina 20h30
Ben Harper (USA) The roots of popular American music, from gospel to blues, from reggae to folk

June 6th
Batha Museum 16h00
hakila Saidi & the Rajab Suleiman Trio (Tanzania) The art of taraab in Swahili tradition

Bab Makina 20h30
Africa Spirit: The Sufi Ensemble Mtendeni Maulid (Zanzibar) and Les Maîtres Tambours (Burundi) Sufi ritual and sacred rhythm

June 7th
Batha Museum 16h00
Ahmed Essyad and the Accroche Note Ensemble (Morocco) Forbidden Voices: mystical poems of Hussain Mansour Al-Hallaj

A Night in the Medina 20h30
Various locations including the Batha Museum, Dar Tazi, Dar Mokri, Dar Adiyel and the Ben Danan Synagogue
Camille with Clément Ducol (France) God is Sound and Bach, Le Canon Perpétuel
The Constantinople Ensemble and Barbara Furtuna (Iran & France) Canti di a Terra
Ustad Gholam Hossain and his ensemble (Afghanistan) Sufi Chants and Robab Lute
Epi (Mongolia) Songs of the Steppe Nomads
Gülay Haçer Toruk (Turkey) Songs of Anatolia
Kiya and Ziya Tabassian (Iran) Sitar and Persian tombak
Musicians of the Nile (Egypt) Tanoura Sufi dance and song from Luxor

June 8th
Batha Museum 16h00
SamulNori Hanullim Ensemble (South Korea) Percussion and Sacred Dance of Korea

Bab Makina 20h30
Shahram Nazeri and the Rumi Ensemble (Iran) The Sufi poetry of Jalâl ud Dîn Rûmî

June 9th
Batha Museum 16h00
Parvathy Bâul (India) Mystical poetry of the Bauls of Bengal

Bab Makina 20h30
Jordi Savall  and the Hesperion XXI Ensemble (Spain) with guests from Morocco, Iraq, Greece, Israel, Galilee and Armenia Jerusalem, City of Heavenly Peace and Earthly Peace

June 10th
Batha Museum 10h00
Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia (India) Morning ragas on a bansuri flute

Batha Museum 16h00
Bagdad-Jerusalem Ensemble (Israel & Iraq) Music of the Jewish tradition of Baghdad

Bab Makina 20h30
Sizero Tabla Experience (India & United Kingdom) Rhythmic India

June 11th
Batha Museum 16h00     
Dhafer Youssef and his Ensemble (Tunisia) Sufi Songs revisited

Bab Makina 20h30
Great Voices of Aleppo with Sabah Fakhri, Sheikh Habboush, Mustafa Hilal, Ahmad Azrak and Safwan Abid (Syria)

June 12th
Batha Museum 16h00
David Murray and the Gwo Ka Masters invite Archie Shepp (USA & Caribbean)

Bab Makina 20h30
Gospel Voices:
Part I: Sista Kee (USA)
Part II: The Blind Boys of Alabama (USA)

Fes-Festival-Forum

FES FESTIVAL ENCOUNTERS- FORUM
09h00 to 13h00 June 5th -9th at the Batha Museum in Fes

June 5th:  Journey to the Inside
June 6th: Journey into scripture
June 7th The pilgrimage
June 8th: Exile
June 9th:   The mythical journey

Plus: Discussions every evening from 18h00 to 20h00

Ben-Harper-l-Fes-Festival-2010-Artist

FES FESTIVAL IN THE CITY PROGRAM
June 5th -13th

– Concerts at 18h30 at Place Boujloud
– Concerts at 20h00 at Ait Skato
– Sufi Nights from 23h00 at Dar Tazi
– Educational activities for children and artistic workshops at 15h00 and at 18h00 at al Qods Complex and al Houria Complex
– Exhibitions at Batha Museum and at Dar Tazi

For more information about the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music or a Travel Exploration Morocco Group Tour

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside Resorts,Sahara DesertBerber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & WaterfallsAbsolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate.

Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806  or 1 (917)703-2078  and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

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Fes Festival of World Sacred Music Program, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Monday, January 25th, 2010

The 16th Edition of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music will take place in Fes, Morocco from June 4th -12th, 2010. The Fes Festival’s theme for 2010 is “Journey of Initiation: from mystery to revelation.

The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music is 9-day celebration held in mid-summer (June 2010) that takes place in the imperial city of Fes. The festival was founded in 1994 by the Moroccan scholar and philanthropist Faouzi Skali and was created to showcase major musical traditions of sacred, spiritual music and world music. The current Artistic Director is Cherif Khaznadar, a pioneer of world music and one of the most influential Artistic Directors on the scene. Each year the festival celebrates artists from Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu and other faiths to perform together in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration.

Bab-Makina-Fes-Festival-Of-Sacred-Music-Whirling- Dervishes

The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music is comprised of:

A four-day Forum called Rencontres de Fes under the rubric “Giving Soul to Globalisation” where politicians, social activists, academics and religious leaders come together in dialogue to discuss the urgent issues of our times. These include conflict resolution, climate change, urban renewal, social justice and much more. Intimate afternoon concerts are held at the Dar Batha Museum and its surrounding Andalusian gardens. Art and film exhibitions, poetry readings at the Dar Bartha Museum and other locations within Fes.

Fes-Festival-World-Sacred-Music-Batha-Museum-Afternoon-Concert

Sufi nights: Sufi music rituals concerts that begin at midnight performed by Moroccan Sufi brotherhoods in the Dar Tazi gardens, in the heart of the Fes medina. Sufi brotherhoods (tarikas) are common in Morocco, and music is an integral part of their spiritual tradition, in contrast to most other forms of Islam, which do not use music. Sufi music is an attempt at reaching a trance-state which inspires mystical ecstasy. The brothers hold hands in a circle and chant or dance. Marrakesh and other regions of Morocco are home to the Gnaoua Brotherhood, which claims descent from the Ethiopian muezzin Sidi Bilal. Gnaoua ceremonies (deiceba) are used to protect against mental illness, scorpion stings and malicious spirits. Deiceba may be related to Sub-Saharan African ceremonies and use a long-necked lute of African origin called the guembri, as well as castanets called garagab.

Fes-Festival-Of-World-Sacred-Music-Sufi-Nights-Celebration

The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music has featured wide range of global musicians such as Miriam Makeba, Ismael Lô, Mohamed Abdou, Tartit Women’s Ensemble, Ghada Shbéïr, , Sabah Fakrih, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Jan Garbarek and The Hilliard Ensemble and the Whirling Dervishes of Konya in the dance of Odissi Madhvi Mudgal.  Performers like Youssou N’Dour, Ravi Shakar and Salif Keita have been juxtaposed with less known musical genres such as Japanese Gagaku, Indonesian Gamelan and folk music from Central Asia.

Fes-Festival-Sufi- Festival

FES FESTIVAL OF WORLD SACRED MUSIC PROGRAM
2010
June 4th -10th, 2010

June 4th
Bab Makina 20h30
Royal Ballet of Cambodia (Cambodia) The Legend of the Creation of the Khmer Kingdom

June 5th
Batha Museum 16h00
The Young Gotipuras Dancers (India) Ritual acrobatic dance from the temples of Orissa

Bab Makina 20h30
Ben Harper (USA) The roots of popular American music, from gospel to blues, from reggae to folk

June 6th
Batha Museum 16h00
Shakila Saidi & the Rajab Suleiman Trio (Tanzania) The art of taraab in Swahili tradition

Bab Makina 20h30
Africa Spirit: The Sufi Ensemble Mtendeni Maulid (Zanzibar) and Les Maîtres Tambours (Burundi) Sufi ritual and sacred rhythm

June 7th
Batha Museum 16h00
Ahmed Essyad and the Accroche Note Ensemble (Morocco) Forbidden Voices: mystical poems of Hussain Mansour Al-Hallaj

A Night in the Medina 20h30
Various locations including the Batha Museum, Dar Tazi, Dar Mokri, Dar Adiyel and the Ben Danan Synagogue
Camille with Clément Ducol (France) God is Sound and Bach, Le Canon Perpétuel
The Constantinople Ensemble and Barbara Furtuna (Iran & France) Canti di a Terra
Ustad Gholam Hossain and his ensemble (Afghanistan) Sufi Chants and Robab Lute
Epi (Mongolia) Songs of the Steppe Nomads
Gülay Haçer Toruk (Turkey) Songs of Anatolia
Kiya and Ziya Tabassian (Iran) Sitar and Persian tombak
Musicians of the Nile (Egypt) Tanoura Sufi dance and song from Luxor

June 8th
Batha Museum 16h00
SamulNori Hanullim Ensemble (South Korea) Percussion and Sacred Dance of Korea

Bab Makina 20h30
Shahram Nazeri and the Rumi Ensemble (Iran) The Sufi poetry of Jalâl ud Dîn Rûmî

June 9th
Batha Museum 16h00
Parvathy Bâul (India) Mystical poetry of the Bauls of Bengal

Bab Makina 20h30
Jordi Savall  and the Hesperion XXI Ensemble (Spain) with guests from Morocco, Iraq, Greece, Israel, Galilee and Armenia Jerusalem, City of Heavenly Peace and Earthly Peace

June 10th
Batha Museum 10h00
Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia (India) Morning ragas on a bansuri flute

Batha Museum 16h00
Bagdad-Jerusalem Ensemble (Israel & Iraq) Music of the Jewish tradition of Baghdad

Bab Makina 20h30
Sizero Tabla Experience (India & United Kingdom) Rhythmic India

June 11th
Batha Museum 16h00     
Dhafer Youssef and his Ensemble (Tunisia) Sufi Songs revisited

Bab Makina 20h30
Great Voices of Aleppo with Sabah Fakhri, Sheikh Habboush, Mustafa Hilal, Ahmad Azrak and Safwan Abid (Syria)

June 12th
Batha Museum 16h00
David Murray and the Gwo Ka Masters invite Archie Shepp (USA & Caribbean)

Bab Makina 20h30
Gospel Voices:
Part I: Sista Kee (USA)
Part II: The Blind Boys of Alabama (USA)

FES FESTIVAL ENCOUNTERS
09h00 to 13h00 June 5th -9th at the Batha Museum in Fes

June 5th: Journey to the Inside
June 6th:         Journey into scripture
June 7th The pilgrimage
June 8th:         Exile
June 9th:         The mythical journey

Plus: Discussions every evening from 18h00 to 20h00

FES FESTIVAL IN THE CITY PROGRAM
June 5th -13th

– Concerts at 18h30 at Place Boujloud
– Concerts at 20h00 at Ait Skato
– Sufi Nights from 23h00 at Dar Tazi

– Educational activities for children and artistic workshops at 15h00 and at 18h00 at al Qods Complex and al Houria Complex

– Exhibitions at Batha Museum and at Dar Tazi

For more information on attending the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music on a Travel Exploration Morocco Group Tour

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside Resorts,Sahara DesertBerber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & WaterfallsAbsolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate.

Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806  or 1 (917)703-2078  and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Fes, Fes Festival of Sacred World Music, The 16th Edition of the Fes Festival of Sacred World Music, Fes Festival of World Sacred Music Tour, Fes Tour, Fes Historical Tour, Fes Festival Tour, Fes Morocco Tour, Fes UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fes Festival Group Tour, Fes Festival Private Tour, Batha Museum, Bab Makina, Morocco Travel, Tours to Morocco, Morocco Vacations, Morocco Holidays