Casa Culture: Enriching Experience For Tourists

The history of Casablanca, gives it a rich cultural heritage. It has the influence of Arab Muslim rulers, The Portuguese, The French, The Spanish rulers, bringing in many contributions these colonial powers in context of Morocco and hence Casablanca’s culture.

The ancient heritage of Casa is well-preserved through its historical buildings, the Jewish Museum, and the Art Deco buildings  to the east of Medina. Also reflecting the influence of colonial powers is the architecture of the buildings in Casablanca, often presenting a mix of all.

The city is well adapted to the tourist culture and there is plenty for you to do on your trip to Casa. There are beaches, restaurants, luxury spas or better known hammams, amusement parks and religious places worth a visit.

The city has space for all communities and substantiating this stands the Jewish Museum, the only one in any Muslim country of the world.

Here’s a glimpse of Casablanca’s culture.

Art and Architecture

Beyond the traffic, pollution, rush characteristic to a city life, there is the Mauresque style of architecture for you to sigh with pleasure at. This style developed in 1930s. It combines the French colonial architecture with the Moroccan style of architecture and presents a lovely fusion, characterized with carved friezes, tile works and ornate wrought-iron balconies.

The Art Deco area to the east of Medina, is a must visit for those interested in beautiful architecture. It has the Place Mohammed V, Rialto Cinema; a functioning movie hall with art deco delights, the Villa des Arts built in 1930s that exhibits contemporary Moroccan and International Art among other structures.

The New Medina is an example of the city’s capability to adapt a larger population and is designed in a way that reflects the traditional and modern style of architecture.

Religion in Casablanca

Casablanca is in harmony with all religions, in spite of being a witness to huge communal clash in 2003 and the 2007 bombings. In fact, this city is in the only Muslim country in the world which has a Jewish Museum. The Museum had a number of resources for Jewish history in this country. Along with a number of Mosques, there are beautifully built churches like the Sacred Heart Cathedral (opened only for special events) and the Church of Notre Dame Lourdes.

Music

Music of Morocco is worth experiencing. It is a fusion of Spanish classical music and modern western styles, along with the authentic Arab-African style.

Food

Food of course, defines the culture of a place. In Casablanca, culture is therefore very well defined. Rich spices are the flavor of the cuisine here. Egg, chicken, lamb and vegetables are what go into the making of Couscous or granular semolina, an authentic Moroccan cuisine. The traditional style of cooking to get a local flavor is done in earthen utensils. Another popular dish of this place is Djaja Mahamara, chicken stuffed with almonds, couscous and raisins. A sweet mint tea makes the meal just perfect.

Apart from these local dishes, they are cuisines to suit the taste buds of all, with a number of hotels and restaurants catering to the needs of international tourists.

Theatre and Dance

Casablanca has many cultural centers across the city, such as the Theatre Municipal, Theatre Mogador among others that stage plays.

The city has the Ballet Theatre Zion, the dance theatre and school with international acclaim.

Festivals

It is festival time in this Moroccan city almost all the year round. Here is an overview of Casa festivals and special events.

March

March is the time for the International Video Arts Festival, The Urban Culture on Stage; a free festival and The Jazz festival-Jazzablanca.

May-June

May and June are also festive times with the Amazigh Theatre Festival in Berber theatre, the ceramics festival known as the Safi in the Heart of Casablanca, the music festival of Boulevard des Jeunes Musiciens with rock, funk and contemporary Arabic music to enthrall the music lovers.

July

The artists from the Moroccan Diasporas stage their performances in the Rawafid Festival in July. Festival of Casablanca in the same months is for celebrating the city life. The 30th of July marks the1999 accession of Moroccan throne by Mohammed VI and is celebrated as the Feast of the Throne.

October

October is the time for Contemporary Dance Festival in Casa.

With festivals, archaeological sites and other activities, Casablanca sure makes for an enriching experience for the tourists.