MARRAKECH, Morocco - Excitement is growing as more than forty storytellers from five continents gather for the first edition of the Marrakech International Storytelling Festival, from 12 to 20 February.
A week-long series of events respecting and building on a tradition of storytelling that is as old as the Red City itself. Guest of Honour will be Haj. Ahmed Ezzarghani the most revered of the master storytellers in the Marrakech tradition. The festival is multilingual with telling in English as well as many other languages including Darija and Amazigh.
It is supported by several partners including the British Embassy Morocco, the Marrakech Storytellers Union and The Al Muniya Association, in addition to twenty-four Marrakech Riads providing complimentary accommodation for international tellers.There will be storytelling in all these “Maisons d’hôte”as well as nine festival venues.
Three workshops are planned including a session on women in storytelling.All events will be unticketed and free of charge to make them as inclusive as possible.A full schedule is attached.
A highlight of the festival will be on Wednesay 18th February with a procession from Dar Bellarjto the Jemaa El Fnaa square. Throughout the evening five storytelling circles will operate simultaneously, each overseen by one of the five surviving master storytellers of Marrakech.
All the festival tellers will participate as well as some honoured guests. “We are delighted to join this crossroads of cultures, hosting renowned storytellers and offering the opportunity to curious minds to travel through stories and explore different cultures."-Simon Martin –British Ambassador to Morocco.
Jaafar Kansoussi President of the Al Muniya Association commented, “Popular culture is transmitted mainly orally in the circles of the Halqa, this unique open-air pulpit”.
The festival is a launch event for a new World Storytelling Cafe located at 9 Souk de Fassis near to the Ben Yussef Madrassa.
This follows a renowned online project which broadcast more than a thousand hours of storytelling during the pandemic.
Lucie Andersen-Wood founder of the Henna Cafe commented, “We believe storytelling has a powerful potential for connection, healing and education, we aim to establish our venue as a tourist attraction as well as an ongoing resource for the local community.
”Venues include: Jemaa El Fnaa, Al Muniya Centre, Café Clock, World Storytelling Café, Café Arabe, Dar Bellarj, Henna Café, University Cadi Ayyad, Complex Mohamed VI de Habous.
Storytellers include: Abderrahim AL-Azzalia, Mohamed Bariz, Mohamed Rguibi, Ahmed Bouchama, Oujbair Mohamed, Aiachi Benjakan, Sef Townsend, Zahra Afsah, Baden Prince, Amy Douglas, Eamonn Keenan, Gary Cordingley, Chip Colquhoun, Paul Jackson, Maria Gillen, Shane Ibbs, Riika Palonen, Maria Credali, Dave Tonge, Norman Perrin, Juliana Marin, Colin Urwin, Clare Goodall, Dawn Ellis, John Row, Zouhair Khaznaoui, Sara Kchirid, Mariam Cannan, Mustapha Lhanch, Brahim Daldali, Mohamed Koucham, Latifa Amghare, Hajiba Makouri, Youness Makouri and Abderrahim Aggouram.
Programme
Monday 14 February 2022: 15:00 Panel discussion: "National Stories" Led by Colin Urwin, Riikka Palinen. At the Al Muniya Marrakech School of Storytelling.
Tuesday 15 February 2022: 11:00 ZOOM session ACE novation presents tribal storytelling and dance. Join online or at World Storytelling Cafe.
15.00 Panel discussion: The Challenge of Motherhood for WorkingArtists, led by Amy Douglas, Sarah Lloyd Winder at Dar Bellarj.
Wednesday 16 February 2022: 12.00 Gary Cordingley tells in collaboration with artist Sabba Khan in anevent facilitated by the British Council. Venue TBC.
14.00 Book launch. Yassine Adnane launches his latest novel at Dar Bellarj.
16.00 Storytellers gather at Dar Bellarj before processing through the Medina to Jemma al Fnaa square.
Early evening, all our Storytellers in Halqa at Jamaa El Fna Square.
Thursday 17 February 2022: 15.00 Keeping the Tradition alive, discussion led by Amy Douglas,Zouhair and Maria Gillen at World Storytelling Cafe.
Saturday 19 February 2022: 11.00 Hybrid (ZOOM) Australasian and Asian tellers plus festival tellers.Online and at World Storytelling Cafe.
19.00 Irish and North American storytellers at Riad Les Yeux Bleus.
For Media Contacts: Mike Wood + 44 7968 063227 or Zouhair Khaznaoui 065029604
