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MEDINA Heritage in itself, the equal of the ramparts, the port and all the Medina of Essaouira, the former mellah died in small fire for years. Are we all responsible for? Perhaps... But what remains (of hope and future) for these houses and their sporadically relocated inhabitants? To date the issue is full: expected what?
History we tell a Northern neighbourhood of Essaouira where families and Jewish merchants lived (and had many children). That the Jews left the premises, leaving it to the following good live and to maintain the walls, and the star engraved in stone remembering a past there is concern to forget have long.
To date, in the same way that all of the Medina, this area is part of the world heritage of Unesco, but above all of Moroccan heritage. Then why, and how in you arrived there?
Yesterday walls fell, reminding everyone the agony of a historic neighbourhood in city. Refers to an area where corruption, trafficking and bad intentions are a dangerous mixture, and where the walls are well sad destinies theatre. A fate which cannot possibly be resolved, knowing that the will of local authorities could certainly make this neighbourhood its yesteryear charm.
But the houses abandoned, looted and boned by thieves dangerously collapse on themselves. Pathetic remains suggesting the blue sky through their walls.
A house without roof sea view
Those who are still living in the former mellah waiting to be rehoused elsewhere, in a district nine, four walls that have at least the merit of keep well right. A solution that is ultimately unsatisfactory, because some families return after selling to the highest bidder the habitat that it had allocated to them. Spiral woven from misunderstandings...
Sometimes, a mellah renait and behind one piece is nicely repainted the magic of a house renovated with passion we appears. Foreigners for most, in love with Essaouira, invest, renovate, restore life and splendour to the homes in the neighbourhood. At the sight of these riads, it said that everything is possible, provided that have a stubborn will and financial means.
It speaks of historic heritage, but what also this human heritage? Without these women and Moroccan men, souiris, giving life to the mellah, that would become Essaouira? A foreign city, loved by others and emptied of its inhabitants: it cannot be resolve.
A thought is approached a response which seems almost obvious: you who can, you who decide (or not) to build and to authorize, you have the right and the power to both: save these walls, rebuild them and offer the inhabitants to live there with dignity. Since in any event, here is their city.
Text and photo : Alice Joundi.