Pictures and words by
Clotilde de Maroussem
When the health emergency was announced, the city found itself frozen. From the roof of Kanisa, the Arabic name given to the church here, you see the atmosphere in the city. Only a few grocery stores, the souk (market for meat, chicken, fish and vegetables) and essential services remain open, closing at 5 pm instead of 9 pm or later.
The trees have been pruned for the coming spring. Seen from this angle, the youngest seem to have endured the cut, remaining intact in themselves. The oldest are naked, exposed and evoke great vulnerability.
On the night of March 22, the time when Venus, the star of the shepherd, descends towards the horizon, a great clamor began, coming first from the Medina (old walled city). My first feelings were fear and insecurity before I understood what was going on.
The sound of Asilah at night. Gathered on their balconies and at the windows of their houses, voices of men, women, young people and children in unison asking Allah for his protection and mercy for Morocco.
And so I spontaneously rang the bells of the church of St Bartholomew – whose name means “God gave” – this Sunday at 10:30 pm – to be in communion and to testify our desire to live in hope.
Art in the time of the Corona Virus – We invite the members of the Anawim Arts Community to embrace the vital capacity of art and spirituality to speak to our current situation. The works in this series will be gathered into a special edition of our on-line journal.
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Thank you.
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Thank you for sharing this story and video. The first time I listened, I heard the contrast between the voices calling out and the sound of the bells chiming. The second time, I was struck by how similar they were in their invocation. Peace!
Patricia and Kr thank so much for your comment. Thinking of you with this difficult time actually in the US. Peace and blessing Clotilde
Peace and blessings to you as well.