HIBAPRESS – Ahmed Al-Musa'id
Under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God protect him, the city of Oujda is preparing to host the eighth edition of the "Blouse Festival", from October 15 to 18 at the Mohammed VI Theater. This year's festival comes under the slogan "The Blouse and Africa, a Fabric of History", confirming its transformation from a local celebration to a platform with a deep African dimension.
The event, which is organized by the Eastern Development Association in partnership with the Secretariat of State in charge of Handicrafts and Social and Solidarity Economy, aims to highlight the aesthetic and historical links between the traditional costume of the Oriental region (the Blouse) and the African depth of the Kingdom. This event is a soft diplomatic message, reflecting the royal vision that calls for strengthening openness to the African continent, and consolidating the position of the Blouse as a strategic and spiritual symbol in the space of the continent.
In line with the programs of the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, Social and Solidarity Economy, which aim to sustain intangible cultural heritage and protect the skills of artisans from extinction, the organizing association has developed a rich and diverse program.
The program also highlights the organization of an advanced master class, which will be led by the famous French fashion designer Dimitri Petit Vincent, in cooperation with graduates of the "Moroccan Craft Treasures" program. The workshop will focus on embroidery and bead embellishment techniques, seeking to blend traditional techniques with a contemporary European touch, at the French Institute in Oujda.
Academics and experts enrich the cultural discussion, and the festival also includes local and African folkloric performances, and a central academic cultural symposium entitled "The Blouse and Africa, a Fabric of History", in which a group of academics and heritage experts participate, including:
– Dr. Hisham Kazout: with a research paper entitled "Reading the Sociological Dimension in Identity and Function."
– Professor Salima Farji: with a research paper on "Advocacy for Heritage: Protecting Identity and Sustaining Creativity."
– Latifa Daoudi: Head of the Crafts Support Department at the Regional Directorate of Handicrafts in the Oriental region, with an intervention focusing on "The Oujda Blouse at the heart of the concerns of the relevant ministry."
– Dr. Mustafa Al-Murait: with an analysis entitled "Shapes and Colors between Local and African."
The festival's events will culminate in a huge artistic evening and major fashion shows for the Oujda Blouse and the African costume. A group of fashion designers from several African countries will participate in these shows, including Burkina Faso, Comoros, Guinea, Chad, Senegal, Niger, and Mali. This night, in which the Blouse shines alongside the dignity of the Haik and the African costume, is expected to be a celebration of authenticity and intangible heritage, and a step towards internationalizing Moroccan-African creativity.
