Marrakech will celebrate the orange blossom from March 21st to April 14th. As every year, the Al-Muniya Association is organizing Zahria, an event dedicated to the distillation of orange blossom, initiated 13 years ago.
This festival marks the arrival of spring and the exquisite fragrance of the flower, which still thrives wherever the bitter orange tree persists, emphasizes Jaafar Kansoussi, founder of Al-Muniya. The Marrakech-based association has taken the initiative to expand the circle of interested parties by inviting city officials and civil society representatives to formally adopt this Moussem. The NGO has also developed an innovative cultural framework, transforming what was once a private family tradition into a major public, cultural, and festive event that honors a heritage deeply rooted in the city’s history.
Zahria now incorporates scientific, artisanal, literary, historical, and musical elements, encouraging its adoption by the residents of the ochre city. In Marrakech and other Moroccan cities, orange blossom distillation is a craft passed down from mother to daughter for generations. Traditionally performed at home around the third week of March, this practice is increasingly being carried out within cooperatives and museums. The blooming season lasts nearly four weeks or more, and families typically procure orange blossoms from the souks or perfumers in the Medina after they are harvested from orchards surrounding the city. Co-organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, the Communal Council of Marrakech, and various institutional and private partners, the 13th edition of Zahria features a rich program. The agenda includes conferences, introductory workshops, musical sessions, cooperative visits, poetry evenings, and exhibitions. Al-Muniya has partnered with museums, hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and schools to educate younger generations about the preservation and transformation of this precious plant.
The most anticipated event of the program is the N’zaha, the grand distillation celebration, which will be led by the Ala Andalusia ensemble of Al-Muniya Marrakech under the direction of Karim Ait Brik, with the participation of master musician Mohamed Bajeddoub.
A special tribute will also be paid to Lalla Aicha Naoufal, an expert in traditional embroidery and orange blossom distillation.
B.B.
