Wednesday 27 June 2012

Monday 25 June 2012

Super-chic store in Marrakech MOOR



Super chic store in the new town of Marrakech, Guèliz. Inspired by the medina of Marrakech and its craftspeople, Yann designer and style director, revisits traditional Moroccan embroidery creating clothing and interior design accessors in a pure spirit using couture techniques - the result: fabulous tunics, cushions and other items made a very high standard.  Even the décor is super-stylish. Well worth the trip to visit.
Sister store to Akbar Delights in Marrakech medina.
Posted by Riad Ariha (www.riadariha.com )and Riad Chi-Chi (www.riadchichi.com )

Saturday 16 June 2012

Art work featuring Marrakech


I love this piece of art using the words Marrakech, Medina, Ouazazarte in an artistic way with different scripts, in Latin script and Arabic script. It evokes the essence of Marrakech with its unique blend of Eastern and Western, and the idea of moving forward in a creative way.
I don’t know who the artist is – if you’re watching, let me know!

Friday 15 June 2012

Online shopping for beautiful Moroccan goods - you can go shopping in Marrakech online



A sensation of spaciousness and light .... I was so excited to get Melanie's blogpost on her new online store showing all the lovely things she sourced in Marrakech http://www.elramlahamra.nl/ 

Melanie stayed in one of our riads, Riad Chi-Chi, on her buying trip.


So if you can't make it to Marrakech, purchase from her online store. If you can make it to Marrakech, do come and stay with us

Thursday 14 June 2012

Maison de la Photographie Marrakech


MAISON DE LA PHOTOGRAPHIE IN MARRAKECH, close to Riad Chi-Chi

Tucked away near Medersa Ben Youssef, a relatively new museum offers a unique perspective of Morocco, and it's well worth a look. The "Maison de la Photographie" first opened its doors in April, 2009 and isn't as well-known as it really should be, yet. Housed in a gorgeous fondouk, or caravan boarding house, the extensive photography collection is truly impressive.
The collection was assembled by Hamid Mergani and Patrick Manac’h and includes 5000 photos and 2000 glass plates, which were collected over a period of nearly fourteen years from the archives of the French Protectorate.  The images cover the period 1862 through 1950 and offer a rare glimpse of Moroccan life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The photos themselves are impressive feats in the early art of photography. The life they depict is an intensely interesting portrait of Moroccan history.
A warm welcome awaits you upon entering. Staff at the museum will take a few minutes to explain what is currently on display, and can do so in a number of languages.  Then you are welcome to meander through the museum viewing the gorgeous collection at your leisure.
Take time and wander the museum's galleries, spread over the fondouk's three floors and sunny inner courtyard.  Exhibits are organized thematically and change every two to three months. Next to each photo is an information plaque. Notice the year each photo was taken and marvel at the similarities between then and now --Morocco still celebrates many of the same cultural traditions as fifty, eighty or even one hundred years ago.  Near the entrance of each gallery you'll find another plaque, only in French, that gives insight into the exhibit.  Non-French speakers can ask questions of the friendly and knowledgeable staff who are well versed in what is on display.
On the third floor visitors will find a media lounge showing films about the Berber people of the High Atlas. The documentaries, shot by Daniel Chicult in 1957, are the first color movies filmed in the High Atlas. The films, called "Landscapes and Faces of the High Atlas", play on continuous loop and offer a rich and colorful view of Berber daily life and festivities.
Finally, head up to the terrace on the top floor. Here you will find an amazing view of the entire medina and a small cafe offering teas, coffees, juices and light lunch options.  Relax, enjoy the view and a new perspective on Moroccan life.






Price of Entry: 40 dirhams, free for children under sixteen. You can also go back using the same ticket.
Hours: Everyday from 9:30 until sunset
http://www.maisondelaphotographie.ma
maisondelaphotographie@gmail.com   
Address: 46 Rue Ahel Fes, Marrakech medina, 40000
Telephone: +212 5 24 38 57 21

Source: http://www.vmvmarrakech.com/?option=com_k2&view=item&id=53:maison-de-la-photographie&Itemid=53&lang=en 

Thursday 7 June 2012

Upcoming events in Morocco for June 2012

 
Marrakech:
During the Marrakech Popular Arts Festival, outdoor venues throughout the city host traditional folk performances from all over Morocco….

Come and book with us for your stay - book directly online via our secure sites:

 

Essaouira:

The Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira

Festival d´Essaouira Gnaoua Musique du monde
(15 e Edition)

21 - 24 June 2012

"Now in its 14th year, the Essaouira Festival is largely dedicated to the North African Gnawa style of music, which combines trance-like rhythms with hypnotic bass lines. Traditionally used in healing rites and celebratory events, it has been known to send listeners into rapturous spasms. In addition to Gnawa, the festival also features a host of jazz, blues and rock artists, all set against the picturesque backdrop of Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Performers this year include Salif Keita and Ribab Fusion."
Rolling Stone Middle East by RS Staff June 23, 2011
To view video of 2011 festival, click here: http://www.essaouira.nu/calendar_festival_gnaoua.htm

Restaurants in Marrakech



A new, welcome addition to the restaurant scene in Marrakesh is the Brasserie de Flore. An authentic French Brasserie (think early 20th century) in Marrakech Plaza, Place du 16 novembre in the heart of  Guèliz, the new town of Marrakesh. The tastiest restaurant meal I’ve eaten in Marrakech is at Brasserie de Flore. The décor, typically French so you’d think you were in France, is one of understated elegance with crystal chandeliers and fans hanging from the high ceilings. It is spotlessly clean and offers great food at great prices and in very generous portions. Open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Tel. 05 24 45 80 00
e-mail: brasseriedeflore@yahoo.fr
Posted by Riad Ariha www.riadariha.com  and Riad Chi-Chi www.riadchichi.com

Monday 4 June 2012

Cafés in Marrakesh


Welcome cafés
Weary wandering around the suks?
There were days when you could tramp around the markets for hours and never find a café to sit down and have a rest – now cafés are springing up all over the medina, the old city of Marrakesh.
This one is just behind the main square, Place Jemaa’ el Fna’-- a sunny day at Café des Épices, Marrakesh
It’s a welcome place to sit down and have a drink and quick sandwich or soup for lunch, or whenever you find it, and watch the action below. Roof terrace – sun hats provided. Free WiFi
http://www.riadariha.com/blog/caf-a-s-in-marrakesh.htm

Art in Marrakesh


Art in Marrakesh
I love this artwork.
Marrakesh is home to many artists and the art scene is vibrant.
Our photo is of a work by Moroccan, Mohamed Bustan.
“The new work of Mohamed Bustan part of a trend that is most important in the development of the current Moroccan calligraphy. This form of art, contemporary calligraphy, abandons any reference to a meaning that would be outside the existing art of calligraphy…..”
http://www.riadariha.com/blog/art-in-marrakesh.htm