Our thanks to Columbia University professor and author Hisham Aidi for returning to his home town to participate in this month’s Salon International de Tanger des Livres et des Arts. In his round table on “The Artistic Power of Tangier,” Dr. Aidi deconstructed certain stereotypes of expatriate Tangier writers/artists and pointed out the rich diversity of individuals inspired by this wonderful city. The artist Henry Ossawa Taylor, Harlem Renaissance and Jamaican-born poet and writer Claude McKay, Guatemalan author Rodrigo Rey Rosa and others all found artistic inspiration here, and some such as jazz master Randy Weston left imprints on Moroccan culture that continue today.
Dr. Aidi won the prestigious American Book Award in 2015 for his book, Rebel Music: Race, Empire, and the New Muslim Youth Culture.
While in Tangier Hisham also met with students from his alma mater, the American School of Tangier. He is journeying to Essaouira to accompany broadcasters from National Public Radio to this week’s Gnaoua Festival, whose guest of honor this year will be none other than Randy Weston.
Safe travels to Hisham and quick return to Tangier.
