Gharib

“While we were mainly concerned with other wars in our youth, such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan, we felt little connection with the Second World War. Where classmates were taught stories by their grandparents, we had to make do with what we were taught at school. It seemed to be mainly a European war, with the rest of the world missing from this narrative.

Now that we have children of our own, we find it important to connect more with the country we live in and the history that goes with it. This has led us to the French Military Cemetery in Kapelle, Zeeland. To the graves of Moroccan soldiers who fought under the French flag during the Second World War. What were these Moroccans doing in the Netherlands? Why did they fight under colonial authority against the Nazis and for the freedom of Europe? And why did we never learn anything about this at school?”

In 2024, Mahfoud and Marcos delved into the forgotten stories of Moroccan soldiers who fought for the freedom of Europe under French colonial rule. This research forms the basis for the performance Gharib, which will premiere in 2025. In it, Marcos and Mahfoud bring to life a story of two best friends who fought, but for what exactly? Freedom? Independence? Recognition? Loyalty?

“We think that in this day and age a performance about WWII and Moroccan soldiers can be extra relevant. Also to bring different groups closer together and to counteract the hardening in society a little. With this performance we can get other conversations going.”