If you are a history lover, news junkie, or student of political science, government, international studies, international relations, international law, diplomacy, public policy, etc. then this is a blog that will catch your eye!
Fantasia
is a traditional horsemanship show that is common in regional and local
festivals throughout Morocco. Teams consist of approximately 10 riders. The
goal is to charge together at the same speed and, towards the end,
simultaneously fire their muskets. The crux is to coordinate the speed of
their horses and the shots.
Fantasia
is immensely popular in the country. Performances can easily draw several
hundreds of people and the atmosphere turns very festive because people sing
and play instruments at the show unfolds. A performance can last up to two or
three hours.
Seeing
the horses approach at full speed is frightening and exhilarating!
“In school I learned that in order to achieve my dreams, I must work hard for them. #62MillionGirls don’t have that chance.”–Meryam
“In school, I learned how to have my own ideas and how to defend them. I also learned how to work really hard to get our place in the world we’re living in. #62MillionGirls don’t have that chance.”–Abderrahman
“In school, I learned how to develop my personality. #62MillionGirls don’t have that chance.”–Kawtar
The Global Voices community is working to bring international attention to the prosecution of seven free expression advocates who are facing trial in Morocco due to their advocacy.
Online each month, the Roosevelt Library highlights works
of art from its collections that are rarely seen by the public. This month we
feature an oil painting of Bab El Khémis in Marrakech, Morocco, by Marius
Hubert-Robert.
On January 24, 1943, following
the Casablanca Conference, Roosevelt and Churchill traveled to Marrakech,
Morocco, where they spent the evening at a large villa occupied by the US Vice-Consul
at Marrakech, Kenneth Pendar. Along the way, they passed by the entrance gate to Bab El Khémis, a large
marketplace. Later on, FDR and Churchill watched the sunset over the Atlas Mountains from the tower in
the nearby Majorelle Gardens, as
shown in the photo above.
French artist Marius
Hubert-Robert, painted the entrance to Bab El Khémis in 1943. Soon after, he
presented the painting to President Roosevelt.
Robert Neumann was a student in Geneva when he was arrested by the Nazis. He was put into two different concentration camps during his imprisonment: Dachau and Buchenwald.
Fortunately, he survived. He later went on to be named the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan in 1966, Morocco in 1973, and later Saudi Arabia.
At the link, there is an excerpt from his memoirs if you want to learn more about this fascinating individual.
On this day in 1955, the Sultan* of Morocco was allowed to return from exile. 11 years before, the Istiqlal (الإستقلال, meaning independence) Party demanded freedom from French rule when the Allied victory did not result in Moroccan independence.
In 1952, riots broke out in Casablanca, and in response, France banned right-leaning parties and exiled the Sultan of Morocco, who was a revered religious leader. However, this increased tensions to the point that on November 18, 1955, France brought the Sultan back for negotiations that eventually led to France relinquishing their protectorate and giving Morocco back to the Moroccans. Accordingly, November 18 is celebrated as Independence Day in Morocco.
You can read on at the link to learn more about the negotiations that led to an independent Morocco at the link!
*Note: Mohammed V changed his title to King of Morocco in 1957. Since that time, the head of the monarchy in Morocco has been called King.
Hisham Almiraat, a medical doctor and long-time community leader at Global Voices, will face trial in Morocco this week on charges of “threatening the internal security of the State.”
The Global Voices community stands in solidarity with Hisham and invites readers around the world to support his case on social media and to read and share his stories, which can be found here and here. Shortly we will release more information about the case, along with an open statement of support.
Today in history (July 17, 1955), Disneyland opened its magical doors for the first time.
Disney, of course, does not normally come to mind when thinking of diplomatic history. However, it has played a role in a couple of diplomatic moments.
