This  retreat is open to all and represents a great opportunity to learn  letters and their calligraphic form and to use traditional tools  including reed, ink, paper and more.

The internship will cover the following aspects:

• History of Islamic calligraphy and its different styles
• Introduction to letters and their calligraphic form
• Introduction to the use of traditional tools (reed, ink, paper, etc.)
• Exercises and techniques of calligraphic writing
• Final work, preparation, and editing of a calligraphic work
• All the necessary material will be provided on-site (reed, ink, paper, etc.) and can then be taken away by each participant.​

All levels, beginner as advanced, are welcome. Knowledge of Arabic is  not required; an interest and an aesthetic sensibility is sufficient. 

• The ideal location to unplug and enjoy the beauty of nature
• Drop out of “normal life” for a period
• A chance to get away and step aside from all the hustle and bustle of city life
• The ideal place to unplug, slow down that fast pace, and get back in touch with nature 

Bahman Panahi

Bahman  Panahi is an Iranian calligrapher and musician. He studied with the  great calligraphy masters Amirkhani, Foradi and Kaboli, and received his  calligraphy diploma from the Institute of Calligraphers of Iran.

He graduated from the faculty of Fine Arts in Teheran and the Ecole  des Beaux-Arts of Valenciennes, and is now working on his doctoral  thesis at the Sorbonne University on the theme of « The Musicality of  Lines and Points ».

He now lives in Paris where he divides his professional time between  courses, workshops, conferences, exhibits of his work, and music  concerts all over the world. 

Nuria Garcia Masip

Nuria Garcia Masipis a Spanish calligrapher trained in the Ottoman school of Islamic calligraphy.

After studying with master calligrapher Mohammed Zakariya in  Washington D.C., she moved to Istanbul where she continued her studies  with the great master calligraphers Hasan Celebi and Davut Bektas.

In 2007 she obtained her ijazat (diploma) for calligraphy in the  sülüs and nesih styles, signed by her three teachers. Nuria participates  actively in international calligraphy exhibitions, has won prestigious  awards in international calligraphy competitions, and has lead workshops  in numerous different countries.

Saturday 22 August 2019 (Arrival)

• According to scheduled arrival, we will welcome you at Marrakesh airport, then provide transfer to Bab Zouina in Ourika
• 20:30 Dinner​

Sunday 23 to Friday 28 August 2019

• 8:00 breakfast (included hot drink and fresh fruit juice)
• 9:00 – 12:00 calligraphy workshop
• 13:00 lunch
• 15:00 – 19:00 calligraphy workshop
• 20: 00 dinner

Note: an excursion in the Atlas will be organized one afternoon of the week

Saturday 29 August 2019

• 8:00 breakfast
• guided tour of Marrakech, souks, historical and cultural monuments
• 20:00 dinner

Sunday 30 August 2019 (Departure)

• 8:00 breakfast
• According to schedules, departure to Marrakesh airport

• 6 days of teaching
• Fruits and Moroccan tea at any time
• 8 nights accommodation in a beautiful guesthouse
• Transfer to and from Marrakech airport
• Meals on the spot in Bab Zouina 

• The meals outside Bab Zouina
• Non-program transport
• Flights
• Travel insurance 

Bab Zouina is an ode to nature.
The workshop will take place in Bab Zouina, a beautiful traditional  Moroccan villa situated in the Ourika Valley (30 km from Marrakesh) in a  magnificent property surrounded by olive trees.
Far from urban stress, Bab Zouina has kept an authentic and serene spirit, respectful of the environment.
The main house is ecologically built with cut stone and the new  buildings with natural mud bricks. The material used is entirely  traditional: tadellakt on the wall, zellij on the floor and cedar and  acacia for the woodwork.
The estate is full of terraces and peaceful places to recharge your  batteries. The botanical and aromatic gardens surrounding the property  give the place a poetic charm and invite to a gentle meditation.
The amazing Swedish artist and landscape designer, Catharina von  Unge, conceived and designed the ornamental garden surrounding the  property. She managed to combine British aesthetic taste with rusticity  and simplicity of the place.
With the Mexican corner and its incredible varieties of cactuses,  Catharinadares hints at the Majorelle garden by Yves Saint Laurent and  the neighboring garden by André Heller.
www.bab-zouina.com

All meals are cooked  with fresh local produce. You will be served 3 meals/day - the meals are prepared with local products and fresh bread is baked daily in a  traditional earth oven. The Moroccan cuisine is a delight in itself. 

Meals are served on low tables (Berber style). Fruits, mineral water, coffee & tea available.