creative work
Bouche-à-Oreille
What inspires us about traveling, about other cultures? And when does inspiration become appropriation? In “Bouche-à-Oreille”, I let myself be guided by the inhabitants of Marrakech, from person to person, from place to place.
Concept, Design, Photography, Interview, Text, Self-publishing
"Marrakech is a mother, she is my mother – and of course the paradise is under her feet. I was born in Marrakech, but also; I am Marrakech. She always had been a crossroad for change during the times. That is how she got her strength and richness."
Maha Elmadi
Maha Elmadi
R: What is your job at Dar Bellarj?
M: I’m the director for 21 years. I have founded Dar Bellarj with Susanna Biedermann and Max Alioth.
I read that Dar Bellarj had been a hospital before?
It’s not exactly the truth. That is more popular history. The oral history tells me it used to be a bird hospital, the artists cured the injured storks when they passed by. And also, it was a hotel, a school and then Susanne made it a place for everybody. So it’s a place to be together, to exchange, to talk, to share – to love each other. You can find a true Moroccan identity in this building. Of surviving and reintroducing.
Talking about the identity of Marrakech, can you describe that?
I think Marrakech is a vivid museum. A normal museum is displaying and educating about gone eras.
Marrakech is magical, it always has the spirit of Marrakchis, who have the ability to adapt to temporary changes of the city. It’s the same energy that Dar Bellarj has. Each era comes, leaves scars, but then the next era comes. And we endured so much, we have so many scars. But the magic of the city is its joy, there is no feeling of time. So you can find that vivid museum in every living being in Marrakech. Marrakech is a crossroad that takes in all the energy from its passengers and absorbs the negative. It guards the positive vibes.
You were born in Marrakech. What does the city mean to you, personally?
It’s not only my hometown, it’s also the place where I can express my identity. It’s not only the town stated in my passport. I was born in Marrakech, but also; I am Marrakech. Marrakech makes me, and I make Marrakech.
