Friday, November 15, 2024 at 8:34
Fez – The 4th edition of the “Olive in the Heart” Festival kicked off on Thursday in Fez.
This edition was launched with a conference led by Professor Mohamed Derfoufi, who was able to highlight the symbolic and spiritual importance of this emblematic tree.
Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Derfoufi explored the symbolic and spiritual dimension of the olive tree, a tree deeply anchored in Moroccan culture. He asserted that the olive tree, mentioned several times in the Quran, represents a symbol of peace and prosperity, noting that God “swore” by this tree to highlight its importance in human life, thus establishing a link sacred between the olive tree and human existence.
Mr. Derfoufi also drew a parallel between the resistance of the olive tree and that of man, evoking the resilience of the tree in the face of difficult climatic conditions, affirming that, just as the olive tree endures adversity, the being Human beings must demonstrate strength and perseverance.
Addressing the cultural aspects of olive harvesting and crushing, he highlighted how these practices strengthen social and family bonds, while highlighting the health benefits of olive oil.
The professor called for a collective commitment to the preservation of this emblematic tree, essential to biodiversity and the environment, insisting on the fact that the health of the olive tree is inseparable from that of humanity and that the development of the olive tree is synonymous with sustainability for life.
For her part, the Consul General of France in Fez and delegated director at the French Institute, Carine Foeller Viallon, underlined the importance of this festival as a vector of cultural exchange and strengthening of social ties.
She particularly insisted on the symbolism of the olive as an emblem of peace, recalling that this festival pays homage not only to this mythical tree but also to the passionate work of the men and women of Morocco.
In a statement to MAP, the founding president of the Moroccan Association for Aid to Children in Precarious Situations (AMESIP), Touraya Jaïdi Bouabid, underlined the importance and significance of the “Olive in the Heart” Festival.
Ms. Bouabid highlighted the fact that this festival is supported by the youth of Fez, emphasizing that “it is a festival which is by them and for them”.
“This initiative is particularly significant because it allows young people to get fully involved in the festival’s activities, whether it involves culinary, artistic or even sporting training,” she said.
She noted that the Fez-Meknes region, producing nearly 37% of Morocco’s olive oil, naturally inspired the choice of this theme, which resonates deeply with the local environment of the participants.
Ms. Bouabid also insisted on the multidisciplinary dimension of the festival, which brings together various training courses offered by the “Kan Ya Makan…RDDA” project. Indeed, young people are trained in the culinary arts, but also in art in all its forms, including circus, dance, theater, and technology.
She stressed that one of the major objectives is to connect the urban to the rural, showing children the origin of olive oil and raising awareness of the production processes.
The festival also includes initiatives such as “Taste Week” in Fez, where culinary arts apprentices introduce young people to the benefits of olive oil through unique sensory experiences.
Organized by the Moroccan Association for Aid to Children in Precarious Situations (AMESIP) in collaboration with the Kan Ya Makan… RDDA center, the festival aims to be a dynamic platform aimed at promoting cultural exchanges and strengthening social ties within of the community.
According to the organizers, this edition of the festival will take over various spaces in the medina of Fez, offering a mixture of culinary art and artistic expressions. Renowned chefs like Meryem Cherkaoui, Mehdi El Omari and Pascal Pineau will participate in “show cooking”, while the performing arts will be celebrated through several innovative shows.
Among the highlights, we note the show “Jha. Is he a wise man, is he a fool?” staged by Camélia Montassir, an urban parade raising awareness of water conservation, and the “Epiphanie” show by Boris Vecchio, which will offer a vertical dance performance on an emblematic gate of the city.
