Toronto, August 28, 2017 – Marchande d’idées interculturelles inc. is pleased to announce the support of the Embassy of Canada to Morocco to its intercultural exchange project between Canada and Morocco.
This first exchange—which is part of a series of similar events planned for 2018—will be held at the Bivouac Le Petit Prince, in October 2017 in M’Hamid El Ghizlane, Morocco.
“We are particularly proud to contribute to the development of cultural exchanges between Canada and Morocco. We are delighted with this first collaboration between indigenous musicians from Canada and nomadic musicians from Morocco, which will showcase the cultural diversity of the two communities while promoting the values of tolerance, peace and living together.” S.E. Nathalie Dubé, Ambassador of Canada to Morocco.
The partnership will enable Marchande d’idées interculturelles inc. to offer an exchange visit to Indigenous musicians from Canada with Moroccan musicians, including a 5-day musical residency as part of the Festival Taragalte under the stars.
On October 19th, four members of the Kanehsatà: ke RedTail Spirit Singers (RTSS) group will fly to Morocco to meet Generation Taragalte, a group of five nomadic young musicians. It is upstream of the 8th edition of the Festival Taragalte under the stars, which will be held from 27 to 29 October, and in partnership with the latter, that the two groups will collaborate, with the goal of creating and preparing a common concert where each style of music will be paired to provide listeners with an innovative musical event.
“We want to foster favourable conditions to encourage the exchange of know-how, customs and cultural heritage between the two communities,” said president and founder Nathalie Lévesque. “Such exchanges contribute to the development of each person, whether it be at the personal, professional or social level. ”
Marchande d’idées interculturelles is especially proud of the partnership with the Embassy of Canada in Morocco since it supports its mission to promote intercultural openness and develop sustainable partnerships between communities.
This is the first collaboration between Marchande d’idées interculturelles and Morocco and is the initial stage for the development of a long-term partnership centered on the celebration of music and cultures.
The exchange will provide opportunities for participants to share ideas, strategies and successes; the possibility of building lasting friendships; and a greater appreciation of their diversity.
“At the base, we all have one thing in common: life,” said RTSS founding member Michel Tremblay. “Let us celebrate it with joy and peace. Ské:nen Kó:wa! (great peace) ”
The project’s goals are:
- To establish a flagship partnership between Morocco and Canada focusing on and celebrating Nomad and Indigenous culture.
- To provide an opportunity for both nations to meet, showcase and share ideas.
- To organize an intercultural forum that brings together people with a common interest so new opportunities can be created in the process.
- To honour, highlight and increase the Nomad and Indigenous music’s reach globally.
- To contribute in preserving their roots and traditions.
- To facilitate networking.
- To sensitize the population at large of the significance of the Nomad and Indigenous heritage.
- Create meaningful and impactful human relationships.
The second segment of the project is planned for summer 2018 in Canada and will maintain its initial objectives while continuing to look for development opportunities for both communities.
About Marchande d’idées interculturelles inc.
Founded in December 2016, Marchande d’idées interculturelles inc. aims to develop intercultural exchanges between different communities in order to raise public awareness of their benefits, foster dialogue and create sustainable partnerships. For more information, visit https://marchandedidees.ca/.
About Embassy of Canada to Morocco
For more information about the embassy, visit http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/morocco-maroc/
About Festival Taragalte Under the Stars
The Taragalte Festival under the stars was created by Ibrahim and Halim Sbai and has been held annually since 2009 in M’Hamid El Ghizlane, in the province of Zagora in Morocco. In this region, between the Atlas and the Saharan dunes, artists and festival-goers from Morocco and around the world meet to enjoy the hospitality and cultural richness of the local populations. For more information, please visit http://www.taragalte.org.
Related Links
Follow Marchandes d’idées interculturelles on social media:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/merchantofideas/
Twitter : https://twitter.com/Marchande_idees
Website: https://marchandedidees.ca/–30–
For more information, please contact :
Nathalie Lévesque, President and Founder
Marchande d’idées interculturelles inc.
647-224-9003
[email protected]
Backgrounder
RedTail Spirit Singers
Michel Tremblay
Frank Horn
Joey Partridge
Akawui Riquelme-Catalan
Founded in 2004, RedTail Spirit Singers made its debut in Kanehsatà:ke from a very modest idea of offering options to youth through singing, drum and dance workshops as well as all activities related to the pow wow.
The original members—Jesse, Michel, Frank and John—were selected not only on the basis of the knowledge they acquired from elders or music theory; but for their ability to serve as role models and a real desire to help.
Their mission is to sing and demonstrate that with wise choices, sustained effort and positive attitude, the results will be convincing.
Two new members joined the group in recent years: Akawui and Joey. They quickly realized that being a member of the RedTail Spirit Singers family is a commitment that goes beyond traditional music.
The arrival of Akawui brings new opportunities, notably at a world music competition in which a musical piece with pow wow score is paired with Akawui’s well-known percussive style. It is during this competition that Akawui wins the 2015 Syli d’or de la Musique du Monde, the Afropop-Syli d’Or for his stage presence and is named ‘coup de coeur’ of Radio-France Internationale.
RedTail Spirit Singers has performed extensively across Canada and the United States for pow wow, conventions and festivals.
In 2012, alongside twenty other musicians from around the world and under the musical direction (and composition) of Katia Makdissi-Warren, the group participated in the Concert des Musiquestranses du Moyen-Orient et d’Amérique combining and harmonizing four different styles. It was showcased at the Maison de la culture Ahuntsic-Cartierville in Montreal.
In 2015, they also participated in the opening ceremony of the Pan American Games Indigenous Pavilion in Toronto.
In March 2017, at the invitation of the High Commission of Canada in Trinidad and Tobago, the band offers a performance where their music is merged with Trinidad’s drums (steel pan).
Generation Taragalte
Brahim Sbai: Guitar, singer
Said Jardouj: Guitar, singer
Brahim Laghfiri: Guitar
Mustapha Jardouj: Bass
Mohamed Laghrissi: Percussions
Lakhlifa Balii: Calebasse, back-up singing
The music of Generation Taragalte is in constant evolution and is nourished by the artistic encounters that the group makes while traveling. Generation Taragalte has been part of the Cultural Caravan for Peace, whose purpose is to convey a message of peace, tolerance and friendship between cultures through music. The group had the opportunity to play with renowned artists (Terakaft, Khaira Arby, Ali Farka Band, Tartit, etc.)
It was in 2015 that Generation Taragalte gave for the first time a series of concerts on the European continent (The Netherlands, Belgium, France).
In June 2017, Génération Taragalte performed at the Timitar Festival in Agadir, Morocco, in addition to touring in the Netherlands.
Every year, Génération Taragalte also participates in an artistic residence arranged by the Festival Taragalte under the stars, during which the group had the opportunity to collaborate.
GenerationTaragalte’s repertory is inspired by the traditional songs that have punctuated the great trans-Saharan caravans over the centuries. Like some Moroccan groups such as the famous Nass El Ghiwane, they are influenced by songs performed by women poets (such as la guedra) and Saharawi tales, and harmonize them with blues and rock sounds. Their repertoire is a mix of Hassanya and Tamasheq language.
The desert is also a source of inspiration for their music. Their songs evoke themes such as the benefits it has on the soul, mind and body, nomadic culture and the preservation of the environment. Strong traditions and a way of life that is constantly changing are also key elements of their music. Their songs speak of their attachment to their hometown, M’Hamid El Ghizlane and reflect of its cultural mixture.
Generation Taragalte is influenced by Saharan music commonly called “desert blues”. Two major figures come to mind: Tinariwen and Ali Farka Touré.
Every year, Génération Taragalte also participates in an artistic residence arranged by the Festival Taragalte, during which the group had the opportunity to collaborate with artists such as Intidao, Saïd Tichiti and Sandra Amarie.