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Morocco World
27-05-2025
- Morocco World
Rebirth of Al Batha Museum in Fez: A Journey Through Moroccan History
Fez – There's a new energy humming through the heart of Fez, and it's coming from the freshly reopened Al Batha Museum of Islamic Arts. After four years of meticulous restoration, this architectural and cultural gem is welcoming a wave of enthusiastic visitors, from curious locals to international travelers, all eager to step into Morocco's vast and layered history. The museum officially reopened in February 2025 as part of a broader royal initiative to breathe new life into the old medina of Fez. The goal was to restore the soul of the city without erasing its scars. And Al Batha delivers exactly that. Nestled in a former 19th-century palace, the museum now houses a sweeping and thoughtfully curated collection that tells Morocco's story, dynasty by dynasty, artifact by artifact. What sets this space apart is its ability to connect the dots of Moroccan civilization in both chronological and thematic ways. From pre-Islamic artifacts to Andalusian manuscripts and rare Islamic calligraphy, visitors aren't just browsing through static relics; they're moving through time. Highlights include a rare minbar (pulpit) from the Al-Andalus Mosque, ancient Quranic scrolls, and exquisite examples of Moroccan craftsmanship in wood, zellij, and metal. The museum's collection doesn't just look pretty, it teaches. Visitors get to trace the evolution of Arabic script, learn about the spread of Islam in North Africa, and understand Morocco's unique role in bridging African, Arab, and Mediterranean worlds. In a sense, each artifact constitutes a conversation starter about identity, tolerance, trade, scholarship, and the formation of a unified kingdom under the Alaouite dynasty. Beyond the national narrative, Al Batha also celebrates the local. Fez, long hailed as Morocco's intellectual and spiritual capital, gets a dedicated spotlight. A special wing honors the city's contributions to Moroccan heritage, from its universities and libraries to its bustling artisanal traditions. Fez is a living testament to Morocco's cultural depth It's a reminder that Fez was not just a stage for Moroccan history, it was one of its indispensable authors. The museum has already drawn more than 10,000 visitors since reopening, and the reactions have been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Families, students, tourists, and members of the Moroccan diaspora are rediscovering Fez with fresh eyes. And it's not just the exhibits doing the talking, everything from the restored zellij fountains to the lush Andalusian garden invites reflection and wonder. The redesign didn't cut corners. Under the supervision of the National Foundation of Museums, the restoration preserved every intricate detail, from hand-carved plaster and cedar wood ceilings to carefully retiled mosaics, while adapting the space to modern museum standards. There's a thoughtful use of visual aids: maps, timelines, and illustrations that help even first-time visitors make sense of centuries of cultural convergence. This is more than a museum; it's a manifesto, a living testament to Morocco's cultural wealth, religious pluralism, and historical continuity. In an era of rushed timelines and cultural amnesia, Al Batha invites us to slow down and remember. Fez has always been a city that tells its secrets to those who know how to listen. With the new Al Batha Museum, those whispers have turned into a clear and compelling narrative, one that Morocco is ready to share with the world. And if you haven't visited yet, consider this your sign. The past has never felt more alive. Tags: Al Batha museumFezIslamic architecture
Morocco World
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
Morocco and Île-de-France Forge Bold Cultural Pact Around African Art
Rabat – Inside the halls of the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rabat, Morocco and the Île-de-France Region took a decisive step toward reshaping the cultural map between Africa and Europe. On Monday, the two sides signed a declaration of intent that goes beyond formal partnership as it signals a shared vision to amplify contemporary African art on the global stage. The document, signed by Mehdi Qotbi, President of Morocco's National Foundation of Museums (FNM), and Valérie Pécresse, President of the Île-de-France Region, sets the tone for a collaboration anchored in action. At its core lies the upcoming Mediterranean exhibition, set to open the Cité de la Culture Africaine, Musée du Continent, a major cultural hub under development. But this partnership stretches far beyond a single event. Morocco and Île-de-France plan to exchange expertise on conservation practices, support acquisitions of African artworks, and design audience-centered educational programs for the new museum. A key component also includes the loan of works from the Île-de-France Regional Fund for Contemporary Art (Frac), bringing European collections into dialogue with African narratives. For Mehdi Qotbi, the moment carried deeper meaning. He described Morocco as a threshold to Africa and a corridor to Europe, geographically, culturally, and artistically. 'Art builds bridges where politics fall short,' he said. 'Welcoming Valérie Pécresse here is more than a diplomatic gesture, it's an encounter with the soul of Morocco and the promise of what Africa can bring to the world.' Pécresse echoed this spirit. With nearly a million residents of Moroccan descent in her region, she spoke of long-standing human and cultural ties that continue to shape Île-de-France's identity. Two of her vice-presidents are Franco-Moroccan, she noted, evidence, she said, of 'how deeply intertwined our stories already are.' The collaboration also places African artists at the center. Pécresse announced that the director of the Frac Île-de-France collection will serve as co-curator for the museum's opening exhibition. 'We bring our full support, our eyes, our networks, our commitment, to identifying and elevating the next generation of African artists,' she said. Before the signing, Pécresse and her delegation toured the museum's galleries. They paused before canvases by Moroccan contemporary artists and works by Tahar Ben Jelloun, the renowned Franco-Moroccan poet, novelist, and painter whose art speaks across boundaries. More than a symbolic gesture, the visit and agreement hint at a shift in the cultural axis. What begins in Rabat may soon echo from Paris to Dakar, from Casablanca to Marseille. The project isn't just about museums, it's about momentum. Tags: contemporary artMorocco ArtMorocco France ArtMorocco france ties
