Othello, a Shakespeare’s tragedy shot in Morocco due to financial issues

Directed by American filmmaker and actor Orson Welles, Othello was shot in the Kingdom which stood in for Cyprus. The decision was made after Welles faced a couple of financial issues when producing the film.

«The Moroccan Goatherd», the story of Louis Lumière’s first movie about Morocco

In 1897, Louis Lumière directed one of the first movies to be shot in Morocco. «The Moroccan Goatherd» paved the way for the production of other films in the Kingdom.

History : Kharboucha, the tragic death of an Aita diva

In the plains of the Doukkala-Abda region, a nineteenth century woman who sang political texts, distinguished herself as a powerful singer. In her Aita, Kharboucha denounced the French colonial power and the practices of Caid Aissa Ben Omar, who put an end to her life in a tragic account.

History : When the subjects of Sultan Mohammed III signed the Free Moors petition in the USA

In 1790, the South Carolina legislature passed the Moor Sundry Act after four couples coming from Morocco signed a petition, demanding the authorities to grant them the status of white free people.

History : Cecil, the hotel patronized by the European royal families to be refurbished

Hotel Cecil, known for being a go to destination for European royal families, is reportedly going to be refurbished. The hostel was built in the 1860s and was visited by distinguished politicians and personalities.

The First Barbary War, when North African corsairs fought against the United States

Between 1801 and 1805, the United States fought a war against North African corsairs. Piracy was an important part of Morocco, Algeria, Tunis and Tripoli’s history which was not really appreciated by the Americans.

History : The Fedala conference and the end of Tangier’s international statute

On October the 29th, 1956, Ahmed Balafrej, who headed the Moroccan diplomacy at the time, signed the Final Decleration of the International Conference of Tangier. The treaty put an end of the city’s international statute.

22 October 1956 : Ben Bella, King Mohammed V and the story of the re-routed plane

On the 22nd of October 1956, a plane carrying FLN leaders, including Algeria’s future president Ahmed Ben Bella, was re-routed by the French authorities. The trip was plotted by King Mohammed V.

1932 : When more than 60 French Legionnaires were killed in a train heading to Oujda

In 1932, more than five hundred Legionnaires were heading to Oujda to finalize the pacification of Morocco. The train that was carrying them crashed and 60 of them died before making it to the battlefield in the Kingdom.

History : When Morocco modeled a Palestine’s airport after Mohammed V International Airport

After the signing of the Oslo II Agreement, an airport was built in Gaza. Modeled after Mohammed V International Airport, the facility, which ceased operation in 2001, was designed and constructed by Moroccan architects and engineers funded by King Hassan II.