“The Historic Gardens of the Two Shores: Cultural Expressions Shared by Al Andalous in Marrakech” was the theme of a colloquium organized on Friday in Marrakech, with the participation of a group of Spanish and Moroccan experts and researchers concerned. by landscape, architectural, cultural and heritage issues.
This meeting thus offered the opportunity to the participants to revisit an aspect of the common history of the two shores in particular, that relating to the historical gardens of the two countries.
The objective is to shed light on the historical and cultural value of the most emblematic gardens and squares, with a detailed focus on the similarities inherent in these privileged spaces, located on both sides of the Strait, at the confluence of two neighboring countries. , who share a long common history.
The speakers at this Colloquium were unanimous in emphasizing that the historic gardens on both shores share many elements of design and composition, in a very similar climate, noting that the gardens were during the common history of the two countries, this “highest expression” of well-being, aesthetics and progress.
Speaking on this occasion, the Director of Communication of the Foundation for Islamic Culture (FUNCI), Ms. Inés Eléxpuru, highlighted a project relating to the integral rehabilitation of the Agdal Gardens in Marrakech initiated by FUNCI, and aiming to enhance “this oldest and largest Islamic garden in the world”, job creation and the promotion of ecological tourism.
While emphasizing Morocco’s desire to restore this historic garden spread over 340 ha, she indicated that FUNCI has conducted historical, architectural, hydraulic and botanical research on this garden, as well as preliminary and scientific studies, in the perspective of the launch of the project for the rehabilitation of this historic space.
For his part, Mr. José Miguel Puerta Vílchez, specialist in Islamic art at the University of Granada (Spain), indicated that Islamic civilization attaches great importance to the realization of gardens as places par excellence of peace. and to live together, but also as the highest spiritual and civilizational achievement of man.
In a presentation under the theme “The garden-book of the Alhambra and the construction of paradises in Al Andalous”, this Spanish researcher tried to shed light on the little-known role of Muslim building craftsmen and architects, who have contributed to the realization of architectural masterpieces, historic gardens and agricultural projects on both shores.
On the menu of this meeting were several presentations relating in particular to “gardens in the poetry of Malhoune”, “Andalusian Almunias, gardens of power”, “the Andalusian garden and the Arab house”, “the gardens of Marrakech: reservoir of remarkable plants and places of exchange and openness”.
Organized jointly by the Cervantes Institute of Marrakech and the Cadi Ayyad University (UCA) of Marrakech, this meeting falls within the framework of the program of exchange and cultural promotion “Faces 2022”, initiated by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Spain, in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in Rabat, and with the support of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication of Morocco, with the aim of strengthening and consolidating the cultural ties that exist between Spain and Morocco.
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