The Moroccan ambassador accredited to the State of Azerbaijan, Mohamed Adel Ambaresh, chaired the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition that included 90 photographic icons, bringing the servientes closer to the “Asan Service” center in the capital of the Eurasian country, which provides various servicing services, from “Moroccan civilization” and continuing “speaking” with foreigners with the accreditation of “ “Heritage repertoire,” whether tangible or intangible, as a language of cultural diplomacy.
As a “new and established normative horizon in the work of diplomatic representation” in this country, which is located at the corner of both Europe and Asia, this exhibition travels the viewer, who does not know Morocco, to an “urban brilliance” rooted in antiquity, as is the case with Volubilis, Lixus and Tamouda, as well as It moves to the urban monuments that were built during the era of the dynasties that ruled Morocco and left a “treasury of construction” that is today considered “world heritage.”
The Idrisid, Almoravid, Almohad, Marinid, Saadian and Alawite dynasties all found equal expression within this exhibition, in a way that celebrates the uniqueness of each empire in putting a “new civilizational touch” on the country’s overall cultural heritage. Therefore, palaces, kasbahs, mosques and ancient areas of imperial cities, as well as modern architecture, were called upon to be “photo subjects” and displayed in the heart of Baku.
Cultural exam
When he was trying to open the exhibition, the Moroccan Ambassador Ambaresh pointed out what he described as “useful and fruitful cooperation” with the State Agency for Public Services and Social Innovations of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Thanks to this cooperation, “the Asan Center will be decorated with these pictures for a week, which will turn the waiting time of about 3,000 visitors daily into a cultural opportunity and introduce them to the richness of Moroccan culture,” announcing that “similar exhibitions will be organized in other centers in Azerbaijan.”
Al-Safir considered the 90 photographs as “testimonies” to an ancient heritage that accompanied the various borders within which Morocco expanded, so it is an exhibition that moves starting with the period of antiquity, which began about 28 centuries ago, when the foundations of our architectural history were laid with cities such as Lixus, Volubilis and Tammuda,” he noted. On the era of dynasties that ruled the country successively, beginning with the Idrisids who founded the national state of Morocco in 788 AD, all the way to the ruling Alawite dynasty today.
Ambaresh said: “These dynasties not only formed the architectural identity of Morocco, but also left an immortal legacy across the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa,” and the exhibition “transports visitors with a kind of fluidity through the picturesque landscapes within the spaces of palaces and kasbahs, and we must mention that most of these sites were Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, some of them were an attractive field for world cinema, such as the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou-Ouarzazate.
The ambassador mentioned the existence of an important space for Moroccan imperial cities, which he viewed as “a living testimony to the history of an ancient, rich and diverse country.” “Each city has its own charm, especially when this magic is kindled in the paths and alleys of ancient cities,” stressing the importance of not leaving the modern era neglected, as it is a “compact mixture” that brings together the successive flurry of innovations and technology, but ensures a deep respect for heritage, especially in terms of Material and design.
In conclusion, the Moroccan diplomatic official touched on the importance of “catching” the Moroccan riad “in the eyes” of Azerbaijanis and residents of this country, as it is considered an example of Moroccan architecture that pushed the ability to compete between craftsmen to its maximum limit to create new styles that go beyond the ready-made and the familiar, and for this reason every “artist” adhered to In terms of extravagance, refinement and continuous development, what resulted from qualifying a continuous path of creativity and innovation.
Heritage is under attack
Samir El Dahr, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Morocco to UNESCO, said, “This exhibition is a very commendable initiative that introduces Moroccan culture to the citizens of Azerbaijan, who we see are not very close to the Moroccan context in general,” considering that activating the role of cultural diplomacy in this way strengthens the country’s approach to This context contributes to achieving the desired goals at the medium and long-term levels.
Al-Dahr added, in a statement to Hespress, that “Moroccan tangible and intangible heritage is today subject to much attack, and has become a subject of controversy, and has even begun to take on a political face. This is why such initiatives are required in the context of the various channels of diplomatic action keeping up with the efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Culture.” Youth and communication within the framework of protecting the national heritage and introducing other peoples to our true heritage that does not accept falsification.”
The Moroccan ambassador warned against “attempts to seize the material and intangible Moroccan heritage,” stressing that “joined efforts between various actors and stakeholders protect this rich and diverse heritage and strengthen its immunity rooted in the roots of Moroccan civilization.” He concluded by saying: “We must congratulate the population in Azerbaijan and the officials are concerned about taking advantage of this offer, which makes the words of the Moroccans present.”
The launch events of the first exhibition of its kind hosted by this new center, “Asan Khidmat,” were attended by officials from the state of Azerbaijan and Moroccan political figures, and everyone saw, according to what Adel Ambaresh told Hespress, “windows into our past as Moroccans, our present, and our aspirations for the future. These pictures sum up a lot about Morocco, and shows the eternal cultural mix on the horizon of Moroccans.”
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2024-05-06 07:13:15
