Morocco World News
Morocco World News
Rabat, May 26, 2012
During all their press conferences, foreign artists who took part in Mawazine appeared on time to answer journalists’ questions, they used the headphones to hear the translation and drank from the mineral water on the table. But, Mariah Carey, who is performing tonight in the festival’s closing concert, made the exception.
The R&B diva or mega star made all the journalists wait for about one hour, before appearing. When she arrived to the conference room, she brought her own mineral water and refused to use the headphones so as not to mess up with her hair. Officials from Maroc Cultures, the organizers of the event, had to whisper in her ear.
The journalists, a great portion of whom is from the middle-east, gave Mariah Carey an entertaining show. As is usual, journalists from Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia were the first to get the microphone. Believe it or not, Moroccan journalists are second class journalists in this event.
Pathetic were the questions asked by the Egyptians and the Lebanese journalists. The Egyptian reporters invited Mariah Carey to perform in Egypt and asked her about her message to her Egyptian fans. The same questions were reiterated by the Lebanese who have been privileged during the festival, while their Moroccan peers were left to the mercy of a bunch of Francophone girls working with the communication company in charge of coordinating with the media.
Another Tunisian journalist wanted to repeat what he did with Shakira last year. When the organizers of the conference gave him the microphone to ask a question, he ended offering Sharkira something purporting that it brings good luck in an attempt to get a kiss on the cheek and a picture. He did the same with Mariah Carey bringing her a Moroccan baby dress. However, Mariah Carey did not even stand up to receive his gifts, she shook hands with him from afar while sitting in her chair. The Tunisian returned back to his seat with deep disappointment.
The surprise is that Mariah Carey talked only about her love for Morocco and the Moroccans who collaborated with her such as Sanae Hamri.
She talked about the story behind naming her son, Moroccan and about her Moroccan design in New York.
When they heard Mariah Carey speak about Sanae Hamri and Morocco, Egyptians and Lebanese journalist couldn’t believe that morocco is becoming the center of music and that international artists focus mainly on Morocco.
Several foreign journalist consider that Morocco is showcasing its stability by hosting such world class music festival.
“We know that a country is secure when such big events are held bringing hundreds of thousands of people dancing and jumping then dispersing peacefully, a thing which cannot be conceived in modern day Tunisia, Egypt or Lebanon,” said a journalist who asked to speak on conditions of anonymity.
He went on to say that “Mawazine sends a strong message about Morocco as a land of peace, tolerance and love for music.”
The diva didn’t miss the event to drink from her special mineral water instead of the Ain Sais water. Sources said that she asked for a mineral bath in her Sofitel hotel.
Compared to Pibull, Mariah Carey was humble enough to come late to Villa des arts where the press conferences were held.
The festival was also a nice opportunity to discover the personal side of several artists such as Evanescence, Scorpions, Jimmy Cliff, humble and down to earth artists whose sincerity can be felt in what they say, away from the commercial video clips of Pittbull and Mariah Carey.
It is no coincidence that Evanescence, Scorpions, Jimmy Cliff and Gloria Gaynor’s concerts were the most entertaining and those that attracted the largest number of fans. Emy Lee, the founder of Evanescence, expressed her appreciation of the Moroccan public.
The same thing can be said about the Scorpions who greeted their fans in the Moroccan language. All of these artists raised the Moroccan flag in their concerts. Will Mariah Carey do the same?
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