Fez, the vivacious core and the handicraft resources of Morocco, has the pride to be among the rarest royal cities worldwide. It still welcomes, today, the exact same customs, mores, ways of life and arts as it has for centuries. The same smell, sight and spirit haunt the traits of the Old Medina of Fez. The scent of worn down donkeys, crossing lengthy streets, joined cinnamon, musk, camphor and saffron perfumes still provides the air an unique audacity. Male using white woollen Jellabas and yellow leather babooshes, and females putting their huge Hayeks, covering their whole bodies, walk under secures of wood base old walls and tiny stores sprinkled between. The image has actually not altered given that 789, when Fez was worked out by Moulay Idris I. Yet, “the convictions, the fresh minds and the touch have altered and transformed throughout the power of time,” claims Mr. Zahouane Ahmed, the vice-president of the Training Center of Handicraft in Fez.
The first step, the first blush and the initial conference are always enchanting. However, each time you view the marvels of this location, these walls and spirits, you identify there is nothing fake about the magic that attacked this component of the world and made from its crowded narrow old streets a paradise of motivation for old and wrinkly faces and weary hands.
Together with the wall surfaces repainted by nature, by the mixture of spatiotemporal situations, the yellowish and brown shades associates the tale of a liquid time passing, years and years of imagination, sweating, and huge challenges taken by the certified craftsmen that got their art diploma from the college of life. “Life has actually instructed us, artisans, to design, to form and to really feel the material,” claims Mr. Zahouane. “Each work of art tells its tale, and the tale is our background.”
Every inch in the Old Medina, every “Riad” (old estate), every patio area, and every column garnished with the colorful Zellij represent, altogether, the old refined Fassi Style. These jewels of art are the outcome of a lots of traditional handicraft work that have been acquired from generation to generation.
In the late century, after the French colonization, the society of education and learning entered homes and encroached upon mentalities. Therefore, artisans that learned from their forefathers the finesse of hand-making and the enthusiasm of really feeling the land sent their descendants to schools to learn what might aid them handle and enhance their local business for a much better future.
Yet, the upcoming generations are finding out, examining and seeking imminent professions. At the exact same time, the society that has actually been developed brick by brick for centuries is vaporizing, today, in front of the detached eyes. “Our children did not touch the raw materials, their hands did not experience the appearances, the blades and the forms,” claims with a heartfelt disappointment Mr. Benchekroun Mohamed, the Rep of Fez Zellij Craftsmen.
The mystery and the beauty of the Fassi invention has actually likewise thrown for a loop international site visitors coming from various continents to the Old Medina to discover, check out, take pleasure in and fulfill the oriental customs and personalizeds, the hot tastes and colors and the fragrance of orange flower water and musk they had become aware of previously.
Having in mind the idea of a primitive imperial city, travelers are impressed by the amazing nature-based style, decors, mosaics and accessories. So, they try to discover the amazing materials and feel what we, Fassis, do not. They visit Bazars, Medersas and old art museums and register in traditional cooking and ceramic classes. They appreciate the discovery. Thus, mesmerized by the whole journey, they can not leave the city without filling up their bags with gems of our valuably priceless inventions. “People from overseas value our handicraft and build deep relationships with our society.” claims Mr. Zahouane.
The satisfaction becomes intensified when Fassi artisans and Fassis, in general, understand that their conventional and social grand icons are urged and appreciated. Though, they are aware regarding the actual situation of the traditional handicraft and recognize that it is wearing away due to the effect of industrialization and automation.
The cultural treasure withstands, withstands and battles to remain alive. The genuine landscapes burglarize bloom, spreads the breath of life and warms up loyal hearts. Wrinkled faces and exhausted hands are still hopeful to continue the long-lasting experience. Living in and with nature, shades, creative thinking and creative imagination, they still believe in a much better tomorrow.
“I admit there is a considerable absence of resources, nowadays, and the quality of materials is obtaining average,” claims, with splits in eyes, Hajj. Fatini Mohamed, the Agent of the Traditional-Making Natural Leather Craftsmen Organization. “We made use of to get two to three orders per day. There was “Lbaraka”! Today, if we reach one order each month, we say thanks to God and state” Hamdouli’ Allah”.
Still, we are enthusiastic.”
Works mentioned:
Meeting 1– 2– 4: Conducted in the Old Medina of Fez in the Educating Facility of Invention The interviewee: Mr. Zahouane, Ahmed, the vice-president the Facility.
Interview 3: Conducted in the Old Medina of Fez. The interviewee: Mr. Benchekroun, Mohamed, the Rep of Fez Zellij Craftsmen
Meeting 5: Conducted in the Old Medina of Fez. The interviewee: Hajj. Fatini, Mohamed, the Agent of the Traditional-Making Leather Craftsmen Association.