This is the story about
how with the support of friends and associative members
a Swedish woman has been able to realize her dream
to save and give new features to the ruins
of some abandoned traditional Moroccan heritage houses
first in the Medina of Marrakech and later in a medieval oasis village.
The idea was to use the houses as an institute for intercultural exchange
and course activities for increased and improved understanding
of the cultures in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
For this purpose the Swedish non-profit Association
Academia Arabesca was created
in 1991 and later a homologue Moroccan association.
Since then countless members have used and still use
its premises, facilities and resources
for their artistic inspiration, studies and research
contributing with their donations
to the maintenance and development of the institute.
It is also a thrilling story about
how the institute has been able to survive through thick and thin
in spite of obstacles of complicated and slow bureaucratic procedures
and even corruption, thefts, frauds and natural disasters.
To secure the continued existence and activities of the institute
and to save its invaluable donated collections of books, photos, costumes,
instruments and other archived material for the present and future generations
the Foundation of Academia Arabesca is now being created
strongly supported by all members of the Association.
Academia Arabesca is now the only Swedish Cultural Institute
on the southern shores of the Mediterranean.
More info about Gita Sellman:
https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gita_Sellmann