Brief Summary
This video documents a journey through French-speaking Morocco, exploring cities like Tangier and Tétouan. It highlights the presence and influence of the French language in various aspects of Moroccan culture, art, and daily life, despite it not being an official language. The journey includes meetings with local artists, writers, and cultural figures who share their perspectives on the importance of French as a language of expression, creation, and connection to the world.
- The video explores the cultural and historical significance of Tangier, known as the city of artists and writers, through the eyes of playwright Zubert Ben Bouchta.
- It showcases the Bibliotobus project, a mobile library bringing French and Arabic books and digital resources to students in rural areas.
- The video also visits Tétouan, known for its Andalusian architecture and Spanish influences, guided by digital artist Salma Balawan, who is working to preserve and promote Moroccan craftsmanship through digital technology.
Tangier: The City of Artists and Writers
The journey begins in Tangier, a city near the Strait of Gibraltar, known as the D3 city, the white city, and the gateway to Africa. Zubert Ben Bouchta, a local playwright and theater director, guides the host through the city, highlighting its artistic and literary history. Zubert's theater, Riad Sultan, is located in the heart of the medina and serves as an open space for theater, music, reading, and artistic creation. He emphasizes the importance of making culture accessible to everyone in Tangier, which has transformed from a city that inspires artists to a place where they can create, share, and connect with the public.
Exploring Tangier with Zubert
Zubert shares insights into Tangier's cultural spots, including the cultural café Chefa, founded by a novelist to connect mentalities and civilizations. They visit the Little Soco, a historic meeting place for locals, foreigners, and sailors, frequented by famous writers like Paul Bowles, Jean Genet, and Tennessee Williams. The Les Insolites bookstore, created by Stéphanie Gaou, is also featured as a hybrid space combining a bookstore, art gallery, and meeting place, aiming to showcase African voices and perspectives within Tangier.
Tangier: A Melting Pot of Languages and Cultures
The host and Zubert discuss Tangier's proximity to Spain, only 14 kilometers away, and the city's multilingual environment, where people often mix English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, and Arabic in their speech. Zubert leads the host through the streets of Tangier, pointing out historical houses and cultural spaces like the Bequet room of the French Institute. They conclude their tour at Zubert's favorite beach, where the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea meet, a place where he finds inspiration and peace.
The French Language in Tangier and Morocco's Identity
Zubert reflects on the mysteries of Tangier that inspire writers and painters, as well as the role of the French language in his life as a writer and theater director. He describes French as a window to the world and culture, noting his experiences in writing residencies in Paris. Zubert shares the late Hassan II's definition of Morocco as a tree with its roots in Africa and branches extending to Europe and the world.
Tétouan: The Daughter of Granada
The journey continues to Tétouan, known for its Andalusian architecture and Spanish influence. The host is intrigued by how the French-speaking world exists in this historically Hispanic city. Before meeting Salma Balawan, a digital artist from Tétouan, the video detours to Guercif to showcase the Bibliotobus project, a mobile library created by the French Institute of Morocco.
Bibliotobus: A Mobile Library in Rural Morocco
The Bibliotobus is a traveling cultural and multimedia bus that provides students in rural and peri-urban schools with access to books in French and Arabic, digital content, and virtual reality experiences. This project aims to promote language learning and cultural mediation, allowing young people to explore various fields of possibilities, such as concerts, cinema, and theater. The principal of a local school emphasizes the positive impact of the Bibliotobus on students' learning and social bonds.
Salma Balawan and Digital Art in Tétouan
Salma Balawan, a digital artist from Tétouan, is introduced as a rising figure in Moroccan digital art. She is developing an interactive virtual tour of the Tétouan modern art center, aiming to promote and safeguard Moroccan craftsmanship through digital tools. Salma's work builds a technological bridge between tradition and innovation, giving new life to heritage know-how.
Exploring Tétouan with Salma
Salma welcomes the host to Tétouan, highlighting the city's Spanish influences in its architecture and lively atmosphere. They explore the Medina, built in the 15th century, and discuss the culture of cohabitation and solidarity among residents. Salma explains that the fedan space serves as a meeting point for people and hosts cultural activities like film screenings.
The French Institute of Tétouan: A Cultural Hub
The French Institute of Tétouan, established in 1973, is a key partner in Salma's digital projects. The institute serves as a meeting and transmission place, welcoming children and adults to learn French, access the media library, and participate in cultural events. The director, Éric Bostard, emphasizes the family-like atmosphere and the caring relationships within the institute.
Inspiration and Craftsmanship in Tétouan's Medina
Salma shares that she finds inspiration in the Medina, a space for interaction and creativity. She repurposes second-hand items to create her digital art. Salma shows a handmade sieve, one of her favorite items, which she uses in installations by layering paper circles on a light screen.
Preserving Moroccan Heritage Through Digital Technology
Salma and the host discuss the craftsmanship in Tétouan, including hat making and paper weaving. Salma is inspired by carpets and is working on co-creation between AI and the artisan's hand for her doctoral project. They visit the Bab El Oakla Museum, which showcases Tétouan's artisanal collections and cultural practices. Salma believes that digital technology can showcase Moroccan heritage and invite people to collaborate and create varied creations.
Tétouan: A City of Spiritual Life and Modern Vision
Salma describes Tétouan as a city of spiritual life that inspires her to create. She defines Morocco as a must-see destination. The host thanks Salma for the tour of Tétouan and expresses a desire to return.
Journey to the South of Morocco
The journey in French-speaking Morocco will continue to the south of the country, including visits to Mecnes, Ben Guérir, Layun, and Terfaya in the Sahara. The video promises to showcase the heritage, modernity, and vibrant French-speaking world of Morocco.
