AL MUJAWARA

What Is Al Mujawara

The Mujawara, a unique gathering, convened both local and international storytellers to exchange knowledge and spark cultural and artistic projects. Organized by the Storytellers Union for Cultural Innovation and the Art of Storytelling, the inaugural event took place in Marrakech, Morocco, spanning from November 26th to December 2nd, 2023. This pioneering edition featured five distinguished master storytellers from the UK and Ireland: John Row, Sef Townsend, Sarah Illoyd, Alaistar Daniel, and Maria Gillen. Together with local storytellers, they engaged in a
week-long program aimed at fostering collaboration and learning.
More than a standalone event, the Mujawara represents an ongoing series, intending to achieve long-term objectives. It aspires to elevate the art of storytelling, cultivate an interconnected artistic network at local, national, and international levels, and initiate lasting cultural/artistic projects.

Objectives

– Initiating artistic and cultural projects between Moroccan and International artists
– Including Storytelling as an instrument for Teaching by engaging and training teachers.
– Experience sharing in terms of training, curation and performance
– Rising Awareness about the art of storytelling as well as the importance of intangible (oral) heritage in a society to future art and culture specialists.
– Developing future storytelling audience in Morocco by exposing locals to various artists and shows.
– Supporint the International Storytelling School in Marrakech in training and preparing the future generation of Moroccan storytelling artists.
– Establishing Marrakech as the International Capital and heart of storytelling in the world.

SUB-PROJECTS

Cocreation

The Mujawara’s standout moments included panel discussions led by Zouhair Khaznaoui, the president of the Storytellers Union and a co- founder of the international storytelling festival. These discussions involved esteemed international storytellers and delved into two pivotal
themes crucial for the future of storytelling, not only in Marrakech but globally.
The first theme centered around co-creation and collaborations, specifically focusing on international artistic and cultural projects. The discourse aimed at exploring ways to foster partnerships that transcend borders, promoting a rich exchange of ideas and cultural insights. The second topic revolved around methods for training professional storytellers and nurturing a new generation of storytellers in Marrakech and across the world. The discussions sought to identify effective strategies and approaches to pass on storytelling traditions while adapting
to contemporary contexts, ensuring the art form’s continuity and relevance.
The outcomes of these discussions were notably promising, generating fruitful and productive insights that laid the groundwork for future programs in Morocco, the UK, and Ireland. The dialogues sparked ideas and initiatives poised to shape the landscape of storytelling, fostering
collaborations and innovation across borders.

Creating An Audience For The Future

The Storytellers Union holds a key objective in educating audiences, particularly the younger generation, about the art of storytelling. The Mujawara took a significant step towards achieving this goal by conducting world-class workshops designed for children aged between 4 and 11 years old, residing in the old Medina of
Marrakech at Les Etoiles de Jamaa El Fna.
These engaging workshops were thoughtfully curated to cater to the diverse audience, with sessions conducted in both Arabic and English. This bilingual approach not only provided access to the essence of storytelling but also exposed the children to fluent English, offering them a valuable opportunity for language immersion and learning.
By extending these workshops to the heart of the community in the old Medina, the Mujawara succeeded in bringing the magic of storytelling directly to the young minds, nurturing their curiosity and appreciation for this ancient art form. the event contributed to shaping a future audience passionate about the art and beauty of storytelling.

Rising Awareness

One of the persistent challenges facing oral heritage is the lack of awareness surrounding its significance. Addressing this gap was a crucial aspect of the Mujawara’s mission. International storytellers took part in seminars and conferences hosted in two faculties of the Cadi Ayyad University during the event.

At the National School of Teachers (ENS), these storytellers conducted a master class aimed at showcasing the power of storytelling as an educational tool. This session reached hundreds of student teachers, providing them with insights into leveraging storytelling as a dynamic instrument for teaching.

The class not only demonstrated the art’s potential but also equipped future educators with innovative methods to engage and inspire their future students. Simultaneously, in the Faculty of Arabic Language, the focus was on highlighting the indispensable role of oral tradition and heritage within
society. Storytellers led discussions that delved into the profound cultural significance and societal impact of oral traditions. This masterclass
served as a catalyst, sparking ideas and fostering a deeper understanding among students about the essence of storytelling and its effective utilization within their cultural and educational contexts.

By engaging with university students in these specialized sessions, the Mujawara managed to ignite a newfound appreciation and comprehension of storytelling’s significance. It seeded ideas and methodologies that could potentially shape future educational practices and preserve the rich tapestry of oral heritage within the societal fabric.

A New Generation Of Storytellers

The Mujawara featured an enriching aspect through two masterclasses led by international storytellers. These sessions were meticulously designed to impart new techniques and artistic expertise to the budding storytellers of Marrakech, nurturing their growth in the craft. Focused on introducing innovative approaches to performance in terms of movement and voice, these masterclasses served as invaluable opportunities for students of storytelling. They were more than just lessons; they were eye-opening experiences that expanded the horizons
of aspiring storytellers. The international experts shared their wealth of knowledge.

SPECIAL PROJECT FOR THE FIRST EDITION

Rising Awareness

Monday 27/11/23:

. Panel Discussion: International Artistic/Cultural collaboration.
. ‘Full Moon’ International Storytelling show in World Storytelling Cafe.

Tuesday 28/11/23:

. Panel Discussion: International Storytelling School of Marrakech: Sharing of experience.
. Storytelling Master Class for students of the International Storytelling School of Marrakech.

Wednesday 29/11/23:

. Storytelling Workshop for Kids (4-11 yo) in Les Etoiles de Jamaa EL Fna.
. ‘We Tell to Live’ international storytelling show in World Storytelling Cafe.

Thursday 30/11/23:

. Panel Discussion: International Storytelling School of Marrakech: Sharing of experience.
. Storytelling Workshop for University Students about using storytelling as an instrument for teaching. ENS Marrakech
. International Storytelling Show in Cafe Clock.

Friday 01/12/23:

. Storytelling Workshop for University Students on Storytelling and transmission of culture and
Tradition in the Faculty of Arabic Language in Marrakech
. Storytelling Master Class for students of the International Storytelling School of Marrakech.

Saturday 02/12/23:

. Storytelling Workshop for Kids (4-11 yo) in Les Etoiles de Jamaa EL Fna.
. ‘The Irish Storytelling Night.’