Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) magazine has just published an article on Moroccan tourism. They believe the country will see considerable growth this year, due both to the large number of natural and cultural attractions the country offers, as well as the forward thinking work the authorities have done to attract more tourists.

Morocco is set to reinforce the contribution of tourism in its economy through attracting more tourists the British magazine, Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) wrote in its latest edition.

“Attracting travelers to Morocco is not difficult, given its array of natural attractions and reputation as a cultural hot-spot,” wrote the FDI.

“The country’s government is not resting on its laurels, and has launched a plan to pull in more tourists, and in doing so attract more foreign investment and create more jobs,” underscored the magazine.

To highlight the importance of tourism in Morocco’s economy, FDI used figures released by the Organization for Economic Development and Co-operation making the point that tourism is Morocco’s largest foreign exchange earner, the second biggest contributor to GDP, and the second largest single job-creating force, responsible for about 400,000 in terms of direct employment, and considerably more in terms of secondary employment.

“Year on year, the industry has continued to grow – albeit with hiccups. In 2010, there were 7.9 million tourists visiting the country – a 12% increase on 2009’s figures, when the global financial crisis impacted the tourism industry,” wrote the same source.

Morocco’s tourism sector is “certainly strong enough to withstand any glitches in the long term – and the Moroccan government is committed to a long-term plan,” added the FDI, pointing to the Vision 2020 which aims notably at doubling the number of annual foreign tourists, tripling the number of domestic tourists, and creating hotel facilities to the tune of about 200,000 beds.

Moroccans love a good festival as much as anybody, and fortunately 2012 promises to be another busy year for special events throughout the country. From the coasts to the desert and everywhere in between, there will be something for everyone this year. Below is a general calendar of events. Dates are as specific as possible, but are always subject to change.

February

Marrakech Biennale – February 29th – March 4th MARRAKECH

Almond Tree Festival - TAFRAOUTE

March

International Magic Festival - MARRAKECH

April

Fes Festival of Sufi Culture - April 12th-14th FEZ

May

Mawazine Festival – May 18th-26th RABAT

Rose Festival – Mid May KELAA-des-MGOUNA

June

Fes Festival of World Sacred Music – June 8th-16th FEZ

Gnaoua & World Music Festival – June 21st-24th ESSAOUIRA

Cherry Festival – SEFROU

Goulimine Camel Fair – GOULIMINE

July

Marrakech Popular Arts Festival - MARRAKECH

August

Asilah Art Festival – ASILAH

September

Imichil Marriage Festival – IMICHIL

Tangier Jazz Festival - TANGIER

October

Tissa Fantasia – TISSA

Erfoud Date Festival - ERFOUD

December

Marrakech Film Festival – MARRAKECH

Four artists are on the galleries showcase, two from Fez, (Mohammed Charcaoui and Hisham Tazi), one from Catalunya (Omar Lula) and Jess who is originally from Wales UK. Mediums cover photography, calligraphy, graffiti and jewellery; all fired and inspired by their immediate surroundings. All art works are for sale.

This vibrant venture is enhanced and spiced up by the provision of a silent disco by sponsor Plan-it Fez …inspiring your stay. A handful of wireless headphones tuned into the dance/funk set, boom out only to those wearing them, whilst to all those around not a beat is heard. The silent disco takes place at the pop up from 18^th to the 31^st of December, from 5 – 6 p.m. every day. Don’t miss out on being part of Fez medinas pioneering arts projects.

Next week the Pop-up will showcase supplementary cultural activities bringing more energy and baraka to T’alla K’bira.

• Monday the 26^th DJ Collie Flower will play a slot in the Silent Disco, at 5 p.m. Pop in, rock on and funk it on down.
• On Tuesday 27th at  3 p.m. Mohammed Charkaoui, calligraphy and teacher, talks about his work and the relationship between calligraphy and Islam.
• Henna artist Leiya will be available on Thursday 29^th at 3, bringing good luck for 2012.

One of Culture Vultures aims is to create as much energy and activity in a small space over a short period of time as possible. Musicians have been and are always welcome to contribute to this cultural energy by performing snippets of their creations or covers to welcome the good spirits of this Pop up venture.

From Boujloud pass the Bouanania madrassa on you left, go through the arched tunnel of the mosque and walk a few minutes along the street of artisanal products, the last hanout of that strip of shops on the left hand side is where you will come across this pop up venture that opens from 10 – 6 p.m. until the last day of 2011.

For more information and up dates of events see http://culturevulturesfez.wordpress.com

06 45 22 32 03

www.plan-it-fez.com

The talent for the program is a jolly fellow named Rodney Bowers. Originally from Newfoundland, Rodney grew up in a household of cooks with loads and loads of children around (he was one of 13) so food was always being shopped for (or fished for), prepared, cooked, and then cleaned up — just in time to start the process all over again.

Rodney is literally and figuratively a ‘larger than life’ kind of guy. His life’s story has the quality of a fairy tale. Brought up in a small community in Newfoundland, he made his way to Toronto with a girlfriend whose father owned a restaurant. Rodney worked in the restaurant and was quickly seen as someone with talent. The generous and encouraging restaurateur encouraged Rodney to pursue a career as a chef and before you know it Rodney had his own restaurant. One restaurant became two, two became three and ultimately New York came into the picture. And now, Rodney is working hard to launch “The Delinquent Gourmet” and with any luck, Fes and Café Clock will be featured on one of the initial airings of the program.

Café Clock’s camel burger was proclaimed “One of the top 5 hamburgers” Rodney has eaten in his entire life. And that’s saying something as clearly, Rodney has eaten a fair number of burgers in his lifetime. The film crew loved The Clock and everyone here returned that affection.

After filming a Clock Kitchen cooking school segment, the camera man and the rest of the crew headed for the terrace with musicians and onlookers ready to show the world what real Moroccan hospitality and revelry looks like. With Rodney in the middle of the fray, there was a boisterous round of dancing, singing and drumming performed for all the world to see.

Thanks Rodney! We look forward to seeing you next on TV!

Last night, British Theater producer, Tim Supple was here to have a look-see at the talents of local singers and musicians. Among the performers Café Clock arranged for him to hear were Jaliliyat, Essaouwa, Zanouba, The Fes Jdid Boys, Annas Habib and so many more – including several talented staff members of The Clock.

Tim is traveling throughout Morocco and the Middle East searching for actors, musicians and the like for an upcoming Canadian theater production of 1001 Arabian Nights. Will some of them come from Fes? It’s possible!

The Clock was rockin’ as one by one the performers provided a sampling of their musical talents. Tim was clearly enjoying himself as was the encouraging crowd that sang and danced along to the tunes of their hometown friends.

Tim, who has never been to Fes before, said he knew he liked the place within 2 minutes of his arrival. He dropped off his luggage at the riad where was booked and headed straight for the café.

“This place is really special,” Tim said about Café Clock. Having just come from Tanger, where no such venue was available for gathering local musicians, Tim was clearly enjoying his research in Fes.

Bet he’s sorry he’s only in town for 1 night.

I’m sure he’ll be back. After all, callbacks have to be arranged, don’t they?

Cafe Clock is on a hunt for Writers

Shout Out for Writers

As you have probably noticed Café Clock has launched Cafe Clock Online. Yes, that’s right. A place for you to log on, reach out and keep your fingers on the pulse of what’s happening at the Clock and all around town.

We’re shouting out for writers to supply Cafe Clock Online with articles on all kinds of subjects. Send in photos, videos, essays, quotes…whatever!

Here are just a few areas we’re interested in having you write about:

PEOPLE: Who’s new in town? Who just got appointed to an important position? What celebrities have passed through Fes and where did they stay, what did they do, who were they with? Here’s a chance to profile all those wacky, wonderful and imaginative people who live and work and pass through Fes every day.

TRENDS: How is Fes changing? What is today’s youth doing to prepare themselves for the future and what are they doing for fun? What’s happening in music, dance, fashion and design? In fact what are YOU doing?

REVIEWS: Tell us about books you’ve read, movies you’ve seen, musicians you’re listening to. Where are the newest hot spots for dining, relaxing and entertainment? What’s that new shop like that just opened up off Mohammed V?

MOROCCAN CULTURE & CUSTOMS: Keep us informed about all the holidays observed in Morocco and give us a little background on the reason for the holiday and what people do to celebrate the Prophets’ birthday, Eid Kbir, Ramadan, The Green March, Ashura. Let our readers know more about the history and customs of Moroccan culture and help them to learn how Moroccans observe special days on the calendar.

If you’re interested in becoming a freelance writer for Café Clock Online, please submit a short sample of your writing. Tell us which category you’re interested in writing about, or suggest another! We’ll review all entries and contact those with the “write” stuff.

So get writing, get your samples in and become a published writer!

Email your writing sample to:admin@cafeclock.com

Sunday at Sunset 6:30pm
Fes Jdid boys Arabic songs with classic guitar (free)
Every WEDNESDAY at 6:30 pm
Jam @ The Clock

CLOCK CULTURE MOVIES :

Thursday movie 6:30pm Hachiko Directed by Lasse Hallström. With Sarah Roemer, Richard Gere, Joan Allen. A drama based on the true story of a college professor’s bond with the abandoned dog he takes into his home (free)

CLOCK CULTURE EVENTS :

13 Jan 2010 – 12 Mar 2010
DREAMINGIN PICTURES photography exhibition by Taha Charkani

SMILE a photography exhibition by Omar Chenaffi

Café Clock has hands ticking rhythms to multiplying metronomes. The Clock Crew are behind the mechanics and after restoring the 250 year old courtyard house they have brought to Fez a cultural zone that we are all desperate to set our watches to. Musicians, thinkers, performers, lovers, restorers, teachers, travellers national international are walking onto our zellij carpet and playing out their tempos. It’s not just about the conversation piece camel burger or Tariq’s Taza style cheesecake that gets you (re)returning to Café Clock (but quite easily could be); it’s perching on revamped chairs picked up in junk souqs, it’s free wi-fi, it’s listening to Moroccan hip hop followed by belly dancing grooves, it’s swapping numbers with your neighbouring coffee drinker as you’re a lute player and he’s a djembe drummer and let’s jam sometime. The library, the terrace, the bar, the red room, the courtyard, the balcony – Café Clock oozes spaces to retreat, meet, mingle, dance, romanticise in. We are open every day of the week . Breakfast is served daily from 9am, last orders for dinner by 10:00pm (groups above 6 please reserve in advance). We love seasonal, we love local, we love traditional. We use what excites us from the neighbouring markets.

CLOCK CULTURE

And there’s more. We’re ringing all sorts of bells about our growing culture program. More than a coffeehouse, Clock Culture commissions and exhibits visual art, holds rooftop Sunday sunset concerts, runs henna workshops, belly dancing classes, cooking workshops and calligraphy courses. Bursting with ideas? Come on over for a coffee and lets chat.

Find us just 200m down from Bab Boujloud gate. Immediately after the display of dissections in the butchers’ guzzar on Talaa Kabira where on the right the 14th century Bouanania Medersa stands proud, up on the left are the restored remains of the clypsydra, Morocco’s only water clock. Below is slimline Derb el Magana, where, deep inside Café Clock nestles herself from the chaos.

Café Clock is a welcomed pause from the play inside Fez’s medieval capsule. Come breathe your life into the walls and let our cedar beams oil themselves with your histories.