Molenbeek celebrates Amazigh New Year

The Marbel association extends the New Year's festivities by organizing the Berber New Year in Molenbeek. It will be Friday January 10 at Karreveld Castle.

The Amazighs will pass to the year 2970. Their calendar is among the oldest in the world. Unlike the Gregorian and Islamic calendars, that of the Amazighs does not coincide with any religious event. The only historic event in common with the others is the battle of the Amazighs against the ancient Egyptians. This date marks the inauguration of an Amazigh Chichong king on the Pharaonic throne after he defeated King Ramses III and his troops, reports the newspaper The Last Hour.

With regard to the celebration of the Berber New Year, MarBel intends to make the community of Amazigh and Maghrebian origin in Belgium aware of its specific identities and to create a cultural link between the generations coming from immigration to Belgium. During the evening, three internationally renowned Amazigh music groups will amaze the public through the cultural richness of their songs.

It is about the folk group Ahwach Taafrougte known for its inspirations which come from the rites of the south of Morocco, the group Kif-Kif Bledi, which promotes an opening on the Arab-Berber culture by exploring, with a modern approach, the dances resulting traditions of the Maghreb and the Middle East. Finally, the Imdyazen N’Arrif group, originally from the Rif region, whose cultural specificities are well established.

Apart from the Amazigh cultural and culinary wealth that will be celebrated, a tribute will be paid to three couples of the first generation whose children have succeeded in academic and professional life, says the same source.