Marrakech’s Iconic Jamaâ el-Fna Square Falls Silent Amid Pandemic

Jamaâ El Fna has not resumed its activities. Yet an advertising spot for Royal Mansour gave some false hopes to some. But it is not the case, as the artists are prohibited from accessing it. Only the food stalls and juice kiosks that must respect the distancing measures give the illusion of an ordinary atmosphere.

In the aftermath of the health crisis, the situation of the 350 artists who work there and who found themselves without work is critical. Of course, they benefited from state aid for three months, as they received 800 DH/family/month. Mariam Amal, president of the Association of Artists of the Halqa, spoke up about their situation. "Every day that passes is an additional burden for us who are left to our own devices, because we do not have enough to feed our families. We just want to be allowed to work like what has been done elsewhere," she said. She goes on to denounce the indifference shown to them. She criticizes the fact of considering this tourist place as a place coveted by foreigners only, whereas Jamâa el Fna is a place of relaxation for the people of Marrakech themselves and for the Casablancans and Rabatis passing through the ochre city, says l’Economiste.

Lahcen Zelmat, president of the Hotel Industry Federation, for his part, deplores the restrictions imposed on domestic tourists who are diverted from Marrakech. This means that Moroccan travelers with reservations are still blocked at the entrance and exit of the city. In view of the facts, the professionals in the sector are calling for the lifting of restrictions, for Marrakech with a view to the resumption of tourism activity.

Domestic tourism represented more than a quarter of tourist arrivals and overnight stays in the ochre city in 2019. It should be noted that the Jemaa el-Fna square was inscribed in 2008 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO. This square is an important cultural space in Marrakech. However, for a few years now, this heritage is no longer a place of rejuvenation, because the storytellers are dead. Moreover, the health crisis prevents the artistic troops in precariousness from performing there. For the revival of this square, a solidarity fund for the artists of Jamaâ and projects that can generate income for the artists must be considered, notes L’Economiste.