Colors of Marrakech - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

The busiest square in Africa Jemaa el-Fnaa is the best way for tourists to learn the culture and the way of life of local folks in Marrakesh. The square is justly called the heart of the city. The reason is far not the vicinity of the important administrative offices and attracting entertaining center. For more than a thousand years the central square of the city has been an established place for holding national holidays and fests, bright fairs and performances. During hiking the travelers may meet local merchants offering authentic souvenirs and crafts, culinary experts selling tempting sweet delicacies and street artists.

During the day the square changes as a chameleon constantly getting totally new looks. In a few minutes the magnificent square turns into exciting concert stage, a huge entertaining complex featuring exciting attractions or into the colorful market place featuring plenty of rows of shopping stalls. The square gets emptier only at dawn, however with the first rays of sun the square gets filled with merchants again.

Those wishing to buy fresh Moroccan oranges should visit the square as early as possible. Along with rows of stalls one will see small street cafes in which the passersby are offered the best refreshing drink ever being the orange fresh. Apart from sunny fruit the market offers a huge choice of prune, honey sweet dates and various nuts as well as home cooked sweets. There one will find various souvenirs and healing herbs which are of immense popularity among city visitors. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Closer to the noon the square performs different entertaining programs. One will see tricky acrobats, mystique fortunetellers, skillful fakirs and artists. Genuine high spot of the entertaining show is considered to be snake handlers. Their breath taking performances always attract and gather a big audience on the square.

Those giving preference to more friendly creatures meeting, can take a photo with monkeys however before the photo set they should necessarily be treated with some delicacies. At the nightfall the square turns into a scale restaurant. Expert cooks bring to the square their mobile kitchens and till late night they create inimitable ethnic treats for the local folks and city guests. Only towards morning the square sinks in silence and gets empty, but just as the first ray of the sun appear on the horizon the life turns back to the buzzing and life bursting place.

You should visit some of the most interesting festivals and national holidays held in the city. For example, this is Marrakech Biennale. It is dedicated to art. The festival takes place at the end of February in odd years. Interactive installations, art exhibitions, literary readings, performances, conferences, and seminars are just a small part of the events organized during the festival. Comptoir des Mines Galerie art gallery becomes the main venue. However, interesting events are organized throughout the city.

Music fans visit Marrakech in late November. Sun Festival takes place here at this time. The variety of genres of music from jazz and blues to ambient and techno, famous headliners who came from all over the world – all these are the undoubted advantages of the fest. The event takes place in various stages of the city. These are Institut Français de Marrakech hall, La Conserverie Museum, cultural centers Le 18 and Riad Denise Masson. The festival called FIA WTCC Race of Morocco is interesting for fans of racing. It is held in early April. It is worth noting that this is one of the most important events in Marrakech. It takes an honorable place among similar fests of this kind. Races are held at the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan.

Movies are also popular in Marrakech. Everyone who wants to watch new movies together with local residents visit the city in early December. Among other things, you can see famous celebrities at this time here. Martin Scorsese or Susan Sarandon, for example, is among them. Jamaa El-Fna square becomes the main venue for the festival. Film screenings are held right in the open air here. This gives charm to the event. In addition, you can attend a large-scale event for free.

Marrakech visitors and local residents can enjoy the diversity of local culture as part of the Marrakech Popular Arts Festival throughout July. This is done through the amazing sounds of Berber music, folk dances, and street performances on the streets of Marrakech. Palais El Badi becomes the main venue for the fest. Local musicians, dancers, and actors demonstrate all their skills here. Morocco is a Muslim country. Islamic celebrations are widely celebrated here. You should refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages in public places during the celebration of Ramadan. This celebration is considered one of the most important in the Muslim tradition. Holidays such as Eid al-Fitr (feast after the Holy month of Ramadan), and Eid al-Adha (feast of sacrifice) are also widely celebrated here.