Директор: Nizar El Kihal and Fouad El Karoumi INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE “RED SAND” FESTIVAL 4 - 8 APRIL 2025 Safi, under the name Safim ( Zaffim or Asfi ), is one of the oldest cities in Morocco, hence its foundation date is unknown. According to historian Mohammed al-Kanuni, Safi must be identified with the ancient Thymiaterion or Carcunticus and was founded by the Carthaginian Hanno during his Periplus as related by Pliny the Elder. Under the Almohads it functioned as an important port to the capital Marrakesh. The city was under Portuguese rule from 1488 to 1541; it is believed that they abandoned it to the Saadians (who were at war with them), since the city proved difficult to defend from land attacks. The Portuguese fortress built to protect the city is still there today. After 1541, the city played a major role in Morocco as one of the safest and biggest seaports in the country. Many ambassadors to the Saadian and Alaouite kings during the 16-th 18-th centuries came to Morocco via Asfi; its proximity to Marrakech, then capital of Morocco, helped expand the maritime trade in the city. Louis De Chénier, consul of the French court in Morocco in 1767, reported that the city was the only usable seaport at the time. A French Navy captive, Bidé de Maurville , who wrote the account of his stay in Morocco in his 1765 book Relations de l'affaire de Larache, reported the presence of an important number of foreign trading houses in the city: Dutch, Danish, British and French. After the Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah built the city of Mogador, he banned foreign trade in all Moroccan ports except in his newly built city. Consequently, Safi stopped playing a leading role in the Moroccan trade. Safi's patron saint is Abu Mohammed Salih. In 1942 as part of Operation Torch, American forces attacked Safi in Operation Blackstone. During November 8-10, 1942 the Americans took control over Safi and its port and took relatively few casualties compared to the other operations at Casablanca and at Port Mehdia . http://safi.marocopedia.com/portfolio/safi/ Conditions for participation: Performance of a free program 30 min Performance at open and closing ceremony presentation of country 5min Groups from all over the world and Europe can take part in the festival. Folk dance groups, folklore instruments, music groups folklore songs, folkloric fairy tales, rituals Age participants 12+ Maximum 40 people Bring small gift for exchange,national flags, visible panel of group name Provide brief history, photos, video and material for advertising of groups Participation at interchange culture workshops,lectures,exhibitions After receiving the application form and completion of advance payment,the organiser will send an official letter of invitation for participation in the festival. Balance of the payment in the festival should completed 60 days prior to arrival Arrival at nearest airport Marrakech “menara” airport Morocco where all groups will be meet and transfer to hotel in Safi Participation fee: 350 Euro per person - accommodation in 3* hotel for 5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS on-base BB (bed, breakfast and one dinner) in triple room 400 Euro per person - accommodation in 3* hotel for 5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS on-base BB (bed, breakfast and one dinner) in double room 450 Euro per person - accommodation in 3* hotel for 5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS on-base BB (bed, breakfast and one dinner) in single room 20 paying participants - 1 person free of charge (20+1) * Hotel will be walking distance to art city center. Participation fee includes: Organisation and implementation of the festival Concert of all groups at city centre mainstage/min 3 performance Diploma and certificate for all participants Hotel,BB AND ONE DINER Free accommodation for group leader if min 20 people group Stage with sound and lighting equipment Official group photo on departure Bus transfers airport -hotel-airport Culture workshops,ex Participation fee doesn't include: The flights Insurance Domestic transfers Additional offer -with additional charge Tour to Essaouira with guide Tour to Casablanca with guide Tour to Marrakech with guide Program: 04 APRIL 2025 FRIDAY Arrival all participants to SAFI, meet & greet by representatives of festival,check in to hotel, sightseeing to Safi,rehearsal /timing will be done separate for each group/, fellowship 05 APRIL 2024 SATURDAY Breakfast at the Riad .Workshops and cooperation with local youth community . 18:00 pm open ceremony for festival, presentation each country participant 5-10 min presentation delegation folkloric dance, music, song, poem, instrument ex..on their free choice. All groups perform in their national costumes.grant fiesta -fellowship , Meeting Safi officials DINER 06 APRIL 2025 SUNDAY Breakfast at hotel. 1 13:00 -15:00 Interexchange culture workshops,diner or TRIP BY REQUEST 18:00-23:00 Grand performance all groups main stage of festival set up by organiser of festival 07 APRIL 2025 MONDAY Breakfast at hotel. Freetime, culture workshops, support local art-purchase souvenirs lectures, OR TRIP BY REQUEST 18:00pm closing ceremony of festival .awards of diplomas fellowship , “arabian disco” local DJ,WITH MOROCCO TEA CEREMONY 08 APRIL 2025 TUESDAY Breakfast at hotel, trip to Essaouira by request DEPARTURE TO AIRPORT Any group willing to participate must submit an Application form. Approved groups pay in advance a10% guarantee fee, which is to be deducted at the final payment.