Abu Dhabi, Feb 1st, 2011 (WAM) -- The National Library of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) has published a book by Andre Chevrillon entitled "Visions du Maroc" into Arabic.
The French author describes his trip to Fez in the Maghreb. The book is divided into three sections which depict Chevrillons thrilling journey: "The Road to Fez", "Entering Fez" and "In the Shades of Fez". The first 179 pages describe an old ship carrying Arab, Jewish and Berber passengers. Chevrillon immerses himself in discussing the passengers and their circumstances, as well as his impressions of the beaches and mountains of Andalusia. He describes the feelings he experiences during the trip, relating to the people he encounters as well as the rhythms of his journey and the ship itself. In the second section, Chevrillon talks about walking into the vast plains of Fez, where he details the chain of mountains which lay on the horizon whose peaks are adorned with snow. There are scintillating coral reefs on the slopes. He observes pearl flowers, anemones and vast spaces during his trip. Chevrillon dedicates the third section of his book to describing the room which the French Consul allowed him to stay in, as there were no hotels in Fez. Visitors or travelers usually had to camp in the courtyard between convoys of camels, mosquitoes and slaves. The author examines every single corner and living object in the city. He excels at portraying even the minutest detail. At the end of this marvelous trip, Chevrillon said, "In the developed and fully culturally-convinced Europe, the farmer no longer provides; the night no longer instills that simple and progressive emotion in the heart. This is the price Europeans pay to read the newspaper."Chevrillon stresses his fascination with the beauty that characterises the city of Fez, the remnants of its past and its impressive monuments. The city belongs to nature and it bears an impression of these natural rules and long-term rhythms. The people in this city enjoy a long life in contrast to those living in Europe. It is a pioneer city that has adorned itself with art. The book was translated into Arabic by Dr. Farid Al-Zahi.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2011.
