an exhibition in madrid celebrating the authenticity of the amazigh carpet
Yesterday evening, Tuesday evening, at the headquarters of the Royal Textile Factory in Madrid, the exhibition “Woven Landscapes” was opened, which celebrates the authenticity of the Amazigh rug and the women weavers of the High Atlas.
This exhibition, organized by the Embassy of Morocco in Spain, the Royal Textile Factory, and the “Thalassine” workshop, a local Amazigh women’s cooperative dedicated to the manufacture of authentic Moroccan carpets, presents a selection of hand-woven, flat-woven carpets, made by professional female weavers using luxurious, dyed Serwa wool. With henna that was picked from the desert highlands.
This event, supervised by the famous Indian designer, Kavita Bamar, aims to present the ancient and unique heritage of Morocco using ancient techniques of Amazigh knot weaving, natural dyeing, and shapes that express the local culture.
The collection highlights the unique character and imprint of the society and culture of the ancient Amazigh tribe, the distinction and sophistication of women in the region, and celebrates the ancient Moroccan culture.
This exhibition, the first of its kind in Spain, aims to highlight this art, which is rich in its ancient materials and rituals, and to stand at the roots of this ancient heritage emanating from the majestic Atlas Mountains.
In her speech on this occasion, the Moroccan Ambassador to Spain, Karima Benaich, stressed that the Amazigh language is an essential component of the Moroccan identity based on linguistic pluralism and cultural diversity.
In this regard, Mrs. Benaich recalled the decision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to declare the Amazigh New Year an official national holiday, referring to the speech delivered by His Majesty in July 2001, in which His Majesty the King reaffirmed the Amazigh dimension of Moroccan identity, as well as the speech. Delivered by His Majesty on October 17, 2001, in which he announced the creation of the Royal Institute for Amazigh Culture.
She added that the 2011 constitution established the Amazigh language as an official language alongside the Arabic language, which enhanced cultural diversity in Morocco.
Mrs. Benaich emphasized that this exhibition represents an opportunity to closely appreciate the experience and sophistication of the women of the High Atlas and their commitment to preserving an ancient art that resists commodification and mass production.
For her part, Kavita Bamar, curator of the exhibition, indicated in a statement to the Maghreb Arab Press Agency, that “the aim of this demonstration, which took two and a half years to prepare, is to highlight the creativity, experience and passion of these women from the High Atlas Mountains who teach, through their textiles, The whole world has ancient Moroccan culture.”
She said: “It is important to preserve this art and this culture, by providing all the necessary conditions for these women so that subsequent generations can continue to preserve the heritage of their ancestors.”
For his part, Shane Ordovas, founder and director of the Talassine Atelier, said, “This exhibition is the culmination of a long path whose primary goal is to preserve the heritage that Morocco has abounded in for centuries.”
He added: “On this occasion, I would like to salute the will and spirit of sharing demonstrated by the women of the cooperative and the entire Moroccan team that made this project possible.”
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the “Woven Landscapes” exhibition until February 23.
Source : websites