Marrakech – Well, there is. And it’s in Fez. On a seemingly ordinary Monday — May 19, to be exact — something quietly fabulous happened in Morocco.
The Fondation Nationale des Musées (FNM), a rather chic institution when you think about it, gathered its most refined minds to crown its very first “Musée du Maroc.”
Like giving the first every “‘Best-Dressed” award at a timeless fashion gala, this was no small moment.
The recipient? The Musée Nejjarine des Arts et Métiers du Bois. A name that sounds as intricate and elegant as the art it houses.
Nestled in the breathtaking Fondouk Nejjarine — a caravanserai from the 18th century that’s now a UNESCO darling — this museum has been seducing culture lovers since 1998.
It’s like the Manolo Blahnik of museums: sophisticated, crafted, and full of heritage.
Here, wood is not just wood. It’s an archive of Moroccan soul — transformed into musical instruments, carpentry tools, delicate objects of daily life, and even ancient weaponry.
Each piece whispers a story, like a love letter from the past.
The FNM’s newly formed commission didn’t just hand out this label like candy at a gallery opening.
With a lineup of culture connoisseurs, from Mehdi Qotbi to Lamiae Gharras, the decision was rooted in rigor, regulation, and reverence.
They didn’t just see compliance — they saw commitment to excellence.
This label isn’t just a sticker of approval. It’s a wink to the future.
A message to Morocco’s other museums: excellence is sexy, and culture deserves its spotlight.
As the FNM opens the door to more candidates, inviting museums across the kingdom to step up and shine, I find myself enchanted.
Museums, like relationships, need love, attention, and a little bit of glamor.
And this one in Fez? It’s a reminder that in a world rushing forward, sometimes the most beautiful moments are found in the stories carved out long ago — in wood, in silence, in history.
So, here’s to Nejjarine: the Carrie of museums — classic, layered, and unforgettable.
