Morocco is a truly fascinating destination. The almost medieval-like hustle and bustle of Morocco is for most travelers a world away from their own cities and towns. The culture and people are usually so completely different from what they know that they often find themselves in situations to which they have no idea how to react. The following brief explanation of Moroccan art and culture is designed to help you get the most out of your stay in this amazing country.

Inhabited since prehistoric times, with a culture that goes back thirty centuries, at the cross-roads of Roman, Berber and Arab civilizations, Morocco is rich in museums overflowing with treasures. These magical places are entirely devoted to admiration. The touch of a master transforms the humblest objects into masterpieces. Carpets, pottery, garments or arms, here everything is a work of art. As the representation of humans or animals is contrary to the teachings of Islam, artists have channelled all their creative effort into producing infinite variations of abstract, geometric or stylized motifs.

Since independence a veritable blossoming has taken place in painting and sculpture, popular music, amateur theatre, and filmmaking. The Moroccan National Theatre (founded 1956) offers regular productions of Moroccan and French dramatic works.

Art and music festivals take place throughout the country during the summer months, among them the World Sacred Music Festival at Fès. Morocco has had artists, film stars, authors, and the filthy rich make it their home away from home. The allure tends to be towards one part of the country or another. That's why Morocco will keep booming in both industry and tourism.

Marrakech is easily the most exuberant marketplace in the world with its mysterious labyrinth medina encompassing Sultan's palaces and ornate mansions of rich merchants. In late afternoon, Moroccans and foreigners' alike gather in Djemâa el Fna square to observe the daily spectacle. Storytellers and musicians perform for the crowds and the aroma of fish and meat cooked in earthenware pots fills the air.

Many tourists are interested in traditional music. Morocco has very ancient and rich music. There are many genres of Moroccan music. It includes Arab, Berber, classical, and popular elements. Musicians perform in concerts, in cafes, at private homes, ceremonies, marriages, funerals, and religious processions. It is also used to accompany dancing and storytelling. Classical music in the Moroccan sense is the Andalusian music of the tenth to fifteenth centuries. It is extremely complicated in musical structure, and its lyrics are characterized by the strict use of the Andalusian dialect or classical Arabic and by the construction of verse in the style of classical poetry. Chaabi (popular) is a music consisting of numerous varieties which are descended from the multifarious forms of Moroccan folk music. Chaabi was originally performed in markets, but is now found at any celebration or meeting.

The other cultural heritage is literature. Over the years, Moroccan literature has grown and evolved tremendously. Books and poetry that form part of literature in Morocco have amazed, shocked and fulfilled the citizens. They have also shed light on the talents that had not yet been discovered or explored. Some of the literature in Morocco is written in Arabic, French, Berber and even in English. Moroccan writers, such as Mohammed Choukri, Driss Chraïbi, Abdallah Laroui, Abdelfattah Kilito, and Fatima Mernissi, publish their works in both French and English. Expatriate writers such as Pierre Loti, William S. Burroughs, and Paul Bowles have drawn attention to Moroccan writers as well as to the country itself. The diversity of Moroccan literature is truly amazing, as are the writers who pen these literary masterpieces.

So pack your sandals, practice your bartering and get yourself to Morocco to discover this amazing world!

About the Author

Karina Lee, independent researcher of current situation in emerging Morocco market regarding growing interest in Morocco property investment.

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