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Rabat – Fez, Morocco’s cultural capital, is hosting the sixth annual Fez Gathering, an event that brings together artists from Morocco and the international community to deliberate on current issues.
This year, the Fez Gathering is centered around the theme of “Gentrification, Arts, and Cultural Heritage.”
The event is organized by the Fez Art Lab with support from various partners, and one of the prominent voices at this year’s Gathering is Carina Hommel, an artist and art educator from Essen, Germany.
Art show at the Fez Gathering event
She expressed her delight at being part of this fast-paced art gathering, which had marked her first visit to Fez.
Hormel told Morocco World News that she is passionate about the transformative power of art, especially when it comes to repurposing old and abandoned buildings.
She believes that artists can play a vital role in breathing new life into historical structures and fostering vibrant communities around them.
Hommel’s sentiment aligns with the central theme of this year’s Fez Gathering. The event aims to shed light on how art can address the challenges of gentrification, specifically focusing on the role of art and culture in revitalizing urban spaces without displacing existing communities.
In many cities around the world, gentrification often brings about urban renewal but at the cost of pushing out long-standing communities. The Fez Gathering seeks to explore alternative approaches that embrace cultural heritage and inclusivity, organizers explained in a statement.
Carina Hommel, an artist and art educator from Essen, Germany
“Preserving cultural heritage is not just about keeping old buildings intact; it’s about giving them a new purpose and creating vibrant communities around them,” Hommel said in an interview with MWN.
Read also: Fez Gathering: Promoting Creativity as a Tool for Human Development
The event also shed light on the role state institutions can play in preserving cultural heritage and fostering inclusive growth.
The Fez Gathering usually provides a space for intergenerational dialogue, emphasizing the importance of passing down traditional knowledge and skills to younger generations.
Commenting on the contemporary Moroccan art scene, the event’s organizers explained in a statement that the Moroccan art space offers Moroccan artists a platform to showcase their talents and perspectives.
The event featured a number of exhibitions showcasing Morocco’s cultural heritage, with exhibitions including works created by international, national, and local artists in the artistic fields of photography, illustration, printmaking, and other media.
Curated with a focus on “Gentrification,” the exhibition aims to “inspire dialogue and examine the connection between gentrification, art, and cultural heritage,” organizers explained.
The event displayed works of notable artists including Benjamin Bini, Moroccans Abdelhamid Belahmidi, Ahmed Bennani, Hamza El Baciri, and German artist Carina Hommel.
