Morocco’s Meryem Jazouli was part of IDFB 2010‘s Outspoken Weekend when she performed her solo, Kelma, un cri à la mère at Ikon Eastside. I caught up with her to find out some of her projects.

Meryem has been very busy. Not only does she perform, she is also the President of AR2D (Association Les Rencontres De La Danse) – a Moroccan group promoting contemporary dance. Since it was founded in 2002, AR2D has helped shape the choreographic landscape in Morocco and has established ‘Darja’, which is a bespoke space for classes and workshops as well as a place that is also dedicated to encourage artists to rehearse and exchange dialogues.

AR2D was involved with Lisières et débordements, which showcased Meryem’s work through screenings and performances. At the event, Meryem also brought together for a performance, for the first time, artists Amina Benbouchta, Hassan Darsi and Mohamed El Baz.

Keen to promote contemporary dance in Morocco, Meryem via AR2D worked in collaboration with l’Officinae – Atelier Marseillais de Production bringing ‘Miniatures‘ to life in which phase one was hosted, created and performed in Casablanca last year.

Miniatures was a week-long residence for artists who were given love and respect as a theme to base their final performances. So far, 10 ‘thumbnails’ have been made. Meryem said that Miniature Morocco is the first step towards a larger artistic and cultural collaborative project. The ‘thumbnails‘ will be developed in partnership with several structures and operators until 2013 with Marseille European Capital of Culture.

Meryem added: “The goal is to meet and interview artists in the Mediterranean basin on the theme of love… collect a multiplicity of visions from men and women, reflect and reveal the uniqueness of language, and poetic writings through the presentation of a particular work, a miniature.”