Tangier American Legation Museum

Ending Our 40th On A High Note

April 15, 2016April 15, 2016 Leave a comment by Grecia Álvarez

On Saturday April 9th, just as our 40th anniversary festivities were coming to a close, we had the opportunity to meet over 40 returned Moroccan alumni of US exchange programs. These professionals are at all stages of their careers, some are students, some teach and many others work in the private sector or in other areas of Moroccan civil society. They were involved in a variety of projects while in the U.S. and they shared with us some of their aspirations for the future.

Our day began with professor Dale Eickelman of Dartmouth College, who gave a talk titled “New Directions: The Tangier American Legation since 1976”. He spoke about TALIM’s transformation from its inception as a non-profit organization to its work today. The Legation and TALIM are opening up to more community involvement through events and programs. Professor Eickelman unveiled our latest initiative during his talk. The “Legation Scholars” program, developed by TALIM and local partners, aims to provide high school students from the Old Medina of Tangier with English language training and baccalaureate support so that they may pursue higher-level studies in the STEM fields. Many of the Moroccan U.S. alumni present at the talk expressed interest in becoming involved in these kinds of programs, through mentorships and other types of collaboration.

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.

View from the terrace of the workshop participants and leaders

Paints ready for the children’s projects

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

Children paint in the rooms off the courtyard

Ayoub Artista leads an activity with the children in the courtyard

View from the terrace of the workshop participants and leaders

View of the children around the workshop table

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

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.

Historic Preservation, Tangier

A new look at the old Villa Perdicaris for #MuseumWeek #ZoomMW

April 15, 2016April 2, 2016 Leave a comment by Grecia Álvarez

Today’s Museum Week challenge asks us to zoom in on a particular item in our collection. Over the past few weeks we have had several visitors with a keen interest in seeing Villa Perdicaris in its old splendor. There was the restoration crew charged with bringing Villa Perdicaris, also known as Villa Aidonia, back to … Read more A new look at the old Villa Perdicaris for #MuseumWeek #ZoomMW

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

TALIM at 40: An Anniversary Celebration

March 24, 2016March 24, 2016 3 Comments by Grecia Álvarez

Please join us for a conference to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan Studies. Learn more about the history of the Tangier American Legation — the only U.S. National Historic Landmark located outside of the United States. In English, free admission.

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.

New York City Synagogue Honors the Moroccan King Who Saved the Jews

December 24, 2015December 24, 2015 Leave a comment by Michael Toler

In a month of major celebrations by believers from each of the three Religions of the Book, here is an article about an important commemoration in a New York City synagogue “Honoring the Moroccan King who Saved the Jews.” Please share. Thank you. See our post about recent Holiday celebrations in Tangier.

Cultural Diplomacy, Education, Events, TALIM, Tangier

Recently in Tangier – Message from the Director

December 16, 2015December 16, 2015 1 Comment by Michael Toler

Dear TALIM Board Members, Fellows and Friends

December 12 - Holiday market benefitting Tangier nonprofits — The Legation’s Christmas Tree is live and is the same as the one used last year

On behalf of all of us in Tangier, I would like to dispense a bit with protocol and write all of you directly to wish all of your and your families a very happy holiday season. This year the holiday stars have aligned, with Hanukkah, Christmas and the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday all falling in December. Here are two photos of a yesterday’s Hanukkah celebration in Tangier at the former Jewish Casino, and of our own Marché de Noël that we hosted Saturday at the Legation along with 14 other Tangier NGO’s and charitable organizations.

We are extremely grateful for your friendship and for your support to the Legation, both for your generous contributions and especially for the time that so many of you give to help us. We hope to welcome many of you back to Tangier next April for our 40th anniversary celebrations.