A tour of the places that tell the story of the Moroccan city’s past and present
The trail of an aeroplane crosses the orange sky above Plaza 9 de Abril in Tangier. On one of the façades of the roundabout that separates the main souk from the rest of the city stands a building that is much more than just concrete; it is a cinematic enclave: Cinéma Rif. On the terrace, the clinking of tea glasses on silver trays can be heard; inside, a youthful buzz mixes with the smoke from cigarettes that drifts into the premises. It is Saturday afternoon.
Cinema Rif, a symbol of contemporary Morocco, was reborn in 2007 as the headquarters of the Tangier Film Library. Founded in the first half of the 20th century under an international protectorate, it witnessed an era of eccentricity, colonialism and cultural encounters. At its peak, Tangier attracted artists, writers and outsiders seeking inspiration. Great works were written there. Today, this corner of the city has given way to a space for cultural dialogue that screens Arab and African works.
