Blogger: Cherguis’ whispers
Article: Rose Festival in Kelaa M’Gouna
Originaly Posted On: 2007-03-11 03:55:00

We finally officially know will the Rose Festival (or moussem) take place, in the first week-end of may, from Friday the 4th to Sunday the 6th. At least this is what Tourism Office told us, and I hope this information will be more accurate than the one about Erfoud last summer !

Practically, that means one more “institutionnalized” moussem (or festival). At the beginning, Roses Festival was linked to the harvest, and took place when the latest roses where cut. People could relax and celebrate.
To fix the date so long time in advance means the moussem will happen whatever the state of the harvest.. (Do you know farmers able to tell you three months in advance the exact day they will finish the harvest ?)

On one hand, it is quite logical, for such a touristic event, attracting so many people, it is quite hard to leave tourists and travel agency in the unknown: “you can come for a week and book your plane, but we can’t promise you you’ll see what you want, and come for.”

This moussem was quite officialized already, with sponsors like Maroc Telecom, covering with advertisment boards the walls around the stage where the traditionnal dancing and singing takes place. And officials, all decorated and aligned, in the main stand. A Gouvernor has an agenda as hard to manage as a tourist booking, that cannot bear roses fantasies…

But, after Erfoud, after Imilchil, it is once again a piece of real tradition which fades away, pushed by the demands of tourist development…

Whatever, it is a beautiful time. The key point is undoubtedly on Saturday, with gnawa, ahwach, music,sabre dancing…

Kelaa’s streets are covered with people, children are ckimbing on the lamp-posts, and people come from everywhere around to take part and sell something. The moussem is at the same time a huge souq, many people offer a few trinkets on a blanket on the ground. I often found there beautiful berber jewels… and many fake ones.

My advice would be to plan large around. The visit of the roses gardens is better made in the week, before every one is busy with the moussem. One has to loose himself in the small labyrinths, enter the gardens and take time to discuss with the people, that’s the best way to enjoy Morocan hospitality.