caravane tighmert 2020. epilogues

In December 2020 we organised the 6th edition of the artists gathering, Caravane Tighmert. After having postponed the original date ( in April), because of the pandemic, we decided to celebrate it after the fire that burnt a third of the oasis surface, as a signal of support for the inhabitants, even if only artists living in Morocco could participate.

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I could not come to Morocco because borders were closed but after this special edition, we had a series of conversations with the 7 artists, talking about their experiences and their works, but also about many different subjects that use to interest participants (nomadism, agriculture, water irrigation, caravans…). We also dedicated some time to explain the stories behind some of the member of the team (Ghassan, Slama, Mohamed…).

caravane ouadane 2021

We are thrilled to announce the first edition of Caravane Ouadane in resonance with Caravane Tighmert. We organise it with Auberge Vasque chez Zaida, Zeinart, Teranim pour les Arts Populaires, Marsad Drâa and Caravane Tighmert.

More information: www.facebook.com/caravaneouadane

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Introduction

Throughout centuries, the regions of Adrar in Mauritania and Wadi Noun in Morocco have followed a history, sometimes common, sometimes parallel, thanks to the tribes who moved and / or lived in the two territories or through the caravans which crossed the Sahara and which lasted until the end of the eighties. Despite the lack of more in-depth archaeological studies, one could highlight, among the most significant events, the expansion of the Almoravid dynasty and the arrival of the Banu Ma'qil tribes. So today, there is a shared heritage, tangible and intangible, as seen in the fortifications, palm groves and culture (with its different expressions). This heritage is the witness of the civilisations which on several occasions have been at the scientific, spiritual and cultural forefront of the world. Unfortunately today, the culture associated with the desert is seen as folklore and it is not given the importance it deserves, especially when it comes to dealing with the contemporaneity of the inhabitants of these regions. For this reason we are going to organise the first edition of Caravane Ouadane in resonance with Caravane Tighmert which has been taking place since 2015 in the oasis of Tighmert (Guelmim, Morocco), the former capital of Noul Lamta.

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Aims

Cultural development in remote regions is one of the major challenges of our societies. The lack of artistic education, the absence of contemporary culture and the difficulties in showcasing the tangible and intangible heritage of historic places can cause inequalities that are difficult to resolve. With this perspective, we offer a series of activities with several purposes.

Contemporary culture and local population: We tend to think that contemporary culture is accessible and understandable only to a social class classified as elitist, yet if it does not concern the entire population it is because necessary instruments to bring it closer to society do not exist. For this reason, workshops will be organised so that the inhabitants of Ouadane (children, young people and women) and artists can work together. On the one hand, the first will learn artistic techniques and methodologies of representation according to the participating artists (photography, video, drawing, art installation, architecture, music, dance ...), on the other hand, seconds will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the history and culture of the city (classified as a world heritage site) hand in hand with the inhabitants.

Artistic research: the selected artists, in particular Mauritanians and Moroccans but also those from other countries, will work on aspects related to the culture, history or even daily life of Ouadane and its surroundings, because the nomadic population will also be concerned. These works will not have as their goal an exhibition at the end of the stay, it is rather a matter of promoting artistic research and the sharing of experiences as the basis of contemporary creation in a specific place, that of Ouadane and Adrar.

Contemporary revision of the common heritage: Ouadane and Tighmert still retain traces of a shared past; fortifications built by the Almoravids, oasis spaces, dances, music, poems... We invite artists to work on these subjects to establish contemporary relationships between the northern and southern shores of the Sahara desert and more specifically between Adrar and Noul Lamta.

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Organisation

Participating artists: In total there will be 10, some will be invited directly as they are already working on aspects of desert and oasis regions, others will be selected after a call for applications we will publish in November 2020.

Fields of research: visual arts and performing arts (theatre, dance and music).

Dates: from the 6th to the 21st November 2021.

Partners: Le Sothiou.

Organisers: Caravane Ouadane is an initiative of Zeinart, Auberge Vasque, Teranim pour les Arts Populaires, Marsad Drâa and Caravane Tighmert.

Financing: we will not pay the travel expenses to Ouadane, we will only offer the stay with food. Launching the information immediately will allow artists to seek their own mobility grants or the funding of personal artistic projects.

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culture development in morocco

Some thoughts about what is happening nowadays with the culture development in Morocco (click on image for reading the text).

espacios desérticos y creación contemporánea

Conferencia del pasado 12 de febrero 2019 en el Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza “Mariemma”  de Madrid sobre espacios desérticos y creación contemporánea, basado en nuestras experiencias en el desierto y especialmente con los proyectos Caravane Tighmert y Project Qafila.

talks and round tables in 2018

This year I had the chance to talk in Ceuta, Fez, Zagora, Bir Gandouz (Dakhla) and Marrakesh about Saharan caravans, architectural heritage, nomadism, territory and urban planning in the desert, water and contemporary culture. Thanks a lot to Aula permanente de formación abierta (Granada University), Takafes, Forum International des Oasis, Ministère de l’Aménagement (Morocco) and Le 18 for trusting me.