Moroccan King grants Marcel Khalife the Medal of Intellectual Achievement!

Renowned Lebanese composer, oud virtuoso and singer Marcel Khalife was granted the Medal of Intellectual Achievement by Morocco's King Mohammed on Wednesday (July 30) in a ceremony at the Palace in the spiritual city of Fez in central Morocco. The Medal of Intellectual Achievement.

 

Khalife was delighted to have received the honor and said that he has a special love for Morocco and its people. ''Honestly, I was here in Morocco by coincidence but it is a great coincidence. I love Morocco and this love is mutual,'' Khalife told reporters following the award ceremony.

Khalife has long enjoyed a immense popularity in Morocco and North Africa as a whole where his concerts usually draw audiences in the tens of thousands and where his songs has become part of their folk culture and familiar to Moroccans across generations.

''The Moroccan audience deals with music and songs as though they are the ones that create, sing and perform them. I very much enjoy this intellectual and cultural diversity here in Morocco, from (varied) beats and tunes to colors and culture. This beautiful intertwining represents a unique example of the relationship with culture. I had hoped one day I would compose (a piece of music) about this rich Moroccan heritage and I hope I will be able to do so soon,'' Khalife added.

 

Photo: Khalife with King Mohammed of Morocco in the city of Fez.