In Casablanca, even the souks have benefited from the march progress. And how
magnificently! Built at the beginning of the century, the Habbous district seems
as if it bas been throbbing with activity silice the dawn of time. Punctuated
by attractive little shaded1 squares, narrow streets lined with arcades lead
froID one souk to j another. Here, the coppersmiths shape teapots, cauldrons,
chandeliers! vases, lanterns and trays... These are the bazaars bursting with
all kinds of merchandise in aIl imaginable colours... on one si de there is
the curious and fragrant olive souk... on the ather the pastry shops piled high
with appetising doughnuts, "cornes de gazelles" and date cakes...
Rows of mechanical sewing machines being worked by men in djellabas... strange
but wonderful antique ~hops selling fascinating and beautiful objets d'art
ln this quarter stands the Mahkama du Pacha, the sumptuous edifice which bouses
both the court of justice and reception rooms for state occasions. And, a little
further on, the Notre Dame de Lourdes church, a monumental concrete sculpture
dating from the 50's, lit by vast stained glass windows covering an area of
800 square metres.
ln comparison, the old medina appears like an extravagant labyrinth which bas
fortunately been contained within the ramparts. What a delight it is to wander
through ifs bustling streets - watching the never-ending spectacle of barbeTs,
butchers, grocers, ironmongers and their throngs of customers... But if, during
the day, Casablanca is alive with dynamism, during the evening you cali dTink
in the sea air on the famous corniche, the are a preferred by those looking
for the night life, with ifs beaches and swimming pools, ifs fashionable bars,
restaurants and hotels.
A dynamic metropolis, Casablanca achieves ils power by drawing on ils rich cultural
heritage and adapting it to modern business needs. It encourages forums and
debates and possesses aIl the infrastructure of a major international capital.
Congresses and conventions bring together scientists, industrialists and financiers
from aIl over the world. Seminars and round taes are held in the opulent meeting
rooms of ils luxury hotels. Political summits take place there. Which is, in
fact, quite a tradition. ln 1943, His Late Majesty, Mohamed V, accompanied by
His Majesty Hassan Il,.then a young prince, welcomed the three great leaders
of the free world; Churchill, Roosevelt and de Gaulle, for the Anfa
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