Michael Toler

Diplomatic History, Events, Historic Preservation, TALIM

Photographs: Tangier Then and Now

November 7, 2016 1 Comment by Michael Toler

Europeans and Moroccans in front of Bab Dar Dbagh, ca. 1920

An exhibition in Rotch Library at MIT in Cambridge MA, features prints made from the glass negatives collection of the Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies (TALIM) in Morocco. The photographs, which have never been exhibited in the United States, date from roughly 1900 to 1930, a period that saw the city of Tangier undergoing a growth that has been unrivaled until recent decades. Not only is Tangier now seeing a radical transformation due to new construction and infrastructure improvements, but there is also a growing emphasis on historic preservation of the built environment. The exhibition highlights that by juxtaposing the older black and white images against more recent photographs of the places depicted.

Events

Live Room Halloween at the Legation

November 5, 2016November 5, 2016 Leave a comment by Michael Toler

We were pleased to host Mok’s Live Room Halloween at the Legation on October 29, and to welcome nearly 300 guests of all ages, along with performers from Tangier and Tetouan for this special (and spooky!) evening. Thanks to the Tangier American Language Center for sponsoring Live Room Halloween and special thanks to Ayoub Lahlouh … Read more Live Room Halloween at the Legation

Events, TALIM, Uncategorized

Dance: Hassan Bouchountouf at the Legation

November 5, 2016November 5, 2016 Leave a comment by Michael Toler

We were pleased to welcome Hassan Bouchountouf to the Legation on September 6, where his performance opened the 3-day Haraka Dance Festival. Thanks to the brilliant Othman Sellami and his team for conceptualizing and organizing Tangier’s first contemporary dance festival and to Ayoub Lahlouh for this short film featuring highlights of Hassan’s exciting performance. –September … Read more Dance: Hassan Bouchountouf at the Legation

Cultural Diplomacy, TALIM

Eid Greetings from TALIM

July 5, 2016July 5, 2016 Leave a comment by Michael Toler

A guest post from the President of the TALIM Board, Dr. Dale F. Eickelman, speaking on behalf of TALIM Board and Fellows: Dear Friends of TALIM, I take this occasion to wish all of you the very best for the end of Ramadan and ‘Id al-Fitr. We have much for which to be grateful and … Read more Eid Greetings from TALIM

Education, TALIM

Lesson Plans and Forms

June 17, 2016 Leave a comment by Michael Toler

Attention Moroccan Teachers of English!

We’re thrilled to announce that we have now published lesson plans about the Tangier American Legation. They’re perfect for teachers planning to bring groups of Moroccan students to visit our museum. There are lesson plans for beginning, intermediate and advanced level students. Please take a look, share with your fellow teachers, and send us your feedback.

You can click here to go directly to the lesson plans, of you can find them under Education & Research in the menu above. There you will also find information about our research library, and the literacy and skills training offered at the Legation.

Medina Children’s Gardening Workshop

April 14, 2016April 14, 2016 1 Comment by Michael Toler

On Saturday, April 9, TALIM hosted a urban gardening and arts workshop. The event gave those attending the 40th anniversary events an opportunity to see TALIM’s outreach programs live. See some photos in the gallery.

Work by the children decorates zankat America (rue d’Amerique)

Ayoub Artista leads an activity with the children in the courtyard

Children paint in the rooms off the courtyard

Teacher Fatima Ben Guerch talking with some of the children participating in the workshop

View from the terrace of the workshop participants and leaders

Paints ready for the children’s projects

View of the children around the workshop table

View from the terrace of the workshop participants and leaders

Events, TALIM, Tangier

TALIM 40th Anniversary Conference

April 11, 2016April 7, 2016 Leave a comment by Michael Toler

The 40^th Anniversary Conference held today at TALIM reviewed the history of the Tangier Legation as a diplomatic presence, then as a museum, and finally as the multifunctional research, educational, and cultural center it is today.

The day began with opening remarks by Director John Davison, and President Dale Eickelman. Presentations on the first panel included “The First Daughter of the Legation” by Anna Reidy, New York University; “The Perdicaris Affair” by Jeremy Gunn, Professor at Université Internationale de Rabat ; and “Twilight of the International Zone” by Gerald Loftus, Former TALIM Director.

After a coffee break on the terrace,

Historic Landmark, Morocco, TALIM, Tangier

The First Full Day of TALIM’s 40th Anniversary Events

April 7, 2016April 6, 2016 2 Comments by Michael Toler

The courtyard and terrace approximately 40 years ago

Today was the first full day of events held to mark the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Tangier American Legation Museum, now the Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies (TALIM). The events are being held in conjunction with the annual meetings of the TALIM Board and Fellows. Ordinarily the meetings are held in the US, but this year they are being held in Tangier to mark this milestone anniversary.

Today’s events consisted of a tour of the new Tanger Med Port, a visit to the museum and ruins at Ksar Sghir, a visit to the Grottes d’Hercule (Cave of Hercules) and finally a social event at the home of Elena Prentice, TALIM Board Member and longtime resident of Tangier, at her charming villa.

Join us tomorrow for TALIM’s 40th Anniversary Conference at Legation.

Museum, TALIM

The Architecture of the Legation #architectureMW

March 30, 2016March 30, 2016 Leave a comment by Michael Toler

IAA104905 — View of the stairs at the north end of the east courtyard.

For Wednesday of Museum Week 2016, we focus on the architecture of TALIM.

The Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies (TALIM), straddling both sides of rue d’Amerique ( زنقة اةمريكا ) approximately 20 m (75 feet) past the southernmost gate in the wall of the old medina, is a very interesting structure from an architectural perspective. It is a multifunctional structure composed of several buildings built at different times and in different architectural styles. Yet the structure as it exists today is remarkably unified.

TALIM, or the Old American Legation as it is commonly known in Morocco, turns 40 this year, but is housed on the site of the building given to the United States by Sultan Moulay Suleyman in 1821. For approximately 140 years the site served as the American diplomatic presence in the city, until 1961 when a new consular complex was built outside the wall of the old medina. The museum, library and cultural center that make up TALIM are housed in a historically significant structure, but it bears little resemblance to the original, single story building. It was badly damaged in the 1844 bombing of Tangier, and essentially rebuilt in an expanded form in 1848.

Events

Upcoming Events at TALIM

February 24, 2016February 24, 2016 Leave a comment by Michael Toler

Tuesday, February 23 at Thursday, at 4:00 p.m.: Talk by Vincent Hoyer : “La Vie Passionnante de l’Astronome Galileo Galilei”

Vincent Hoyer, a retired teacher from Tangier’s Ecole Berchet, will speak in French about the astronomer Galileo. Tanger Accueil is sponsoring M. Hoyer’s lecture.

February 25th at 7:30 p.m.: Gary Ward Band Concert: A History of Popular Music in the UK and the US.

Starting pre-20th century, folk songs were regularly sung all over the US and UK. These songs were adapted in many ways to fit the music of other genres which were emerging around the turn of the 20th Century, eg. jazz, blues, gospel, followed by the big bands of the 20s-40s, and leading into rhythm and blues, rock and roll. This was followed by the mass explosion of new musical genres which emerged in the 1960s right through to the current day. The show will explore each musical genre through the decades using electric guitar, electric bass and a drum set. The Tangier American Language Center is sponsoring the concert. Free admission

Tuesday, March 1, 11 a.m. (note time change from previous announcement): Lecture and Book Signing by Thione Niang.