TANGIER, A MAGICAL CITY

By Nii B. Andrews

My dear friend Abdelatif Benjaloun aka Patron loves Tangier; he insists that Tangier is a magical city.

And that says a lot coming from a native of Fez who has spent the last 40 years living in Marrakech – the Ochre City and Queen of the South.

Last month, Africa’s first LGV or Bullet Train was launched from Tangier.

Named “Al Boraq” the high speed service will average 320 kilometers per hour between Tangier and Kenitra, a city north of Rabat, and will drop its speed to 160 kilometers per hour from Kenitra to Casablanca.

It shortens the travel time of 5 hours from Tangier to Casablanca down to 2 hours and 10 minutes; in subsequent years, a further reduction to 1 hour 30 minutes is anticipated.

Tangier is less than 20km from Europe; on a clear day the southern coast of Spain is visible.

The awesome sweep of the city bay is visible from the Medina; even the Phoenicians were here over 2 000 years ago.

Through the early 1950s, Tangier became home to the occidental literary set – Paul Bowles, William Burroughs, Brion Gysin, Francis Bacon, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote.

A cosmopolitan flavor prevailed with a cacophony of languages and a permissive atmosphere.

There was also an active gallery scene.

It was in this social milleu that Mohammed Hamri thrived and his art was brought to the world.

He was a polyglot – a painter, music maker, great chef and raconteur.

Hamri believed that his art was a blessing from God and not merely a result of his trained ability to draw or paint; he believed that it embodied divine energies.

One of his very first questions was, “It’s called painting and people pay money for it? No!” he said with great disbelief, and then, “Why?”.

His output was prolific; ink on paper, oil on canvas, gouache on paper etc.

Hamri has featured in his work SIX different signatures.

On that account it is always best to purchase a Hamri painting from a reputable dealer.

Today, Tangier has undergone a renaissance with major infrastructure and a vibrant art scene.

Currently, at the Medina Gallery, there is an exhibition by Daniel Parra Lozano. His paintings showcase the architectural beauty of this ancient magical city.

Patron is right.