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Tomorrow, November 6, our country celebrates one of the most important moments in its history: the Green March. Everywhere, your children see 🇲🇦 flags waving on balconies and on television. Naturally, curiosity awakens and the question pops up: "Mom, Dad, what is the Green March?"
It's a wonderful question, but answering it with simple words is not always easy.
How do you tell a 5, 7, or 10-year-old child about this outpouring of patriotism and peace? Wlidaty is here to help you, with simple explanations and a few activity ideas to make this public holiday a true moment of sharing and transmission within the family.
1. Telling the Story of the Green March (Wlidaty Version)
The idea is to use simple imagery, like a story.
"Imagine... A long time ago, Morocco was like a very big house, but a part of this house, way down South, in a beautiful region called the Sahara, was not quite with the rest of the family yet.
So, King Hassan II, who was the grandfather of our King Mohammed VI, had a brilliant idea.
He asked 350,000 Moroccans (that's like all the inhabitants of a huge city deciding to walk together!) to volunteer.
But be careful, this was not a march to fight. It was a march of peace. That's the most important thing! The people didn't have weapons. They had two very important things in their hands:
- The Quran, our holy book, to show they came in peace.
- The Moroccan Flag, to show the love for their country.
They all marched together, singing, towards the South to tell the whole world: 'We love our country, we love this part of our country, and we want our entire Moroccan family to finally be reunited.'
And because they were going with ideas of peace and hope, they called it: the Green March (green is the color of peace and paradise)."
2. 5 Activities to Celebrate and Transmit within the Family
More than the story, it is the values (peace, unity, love of country) that we want to transmit. Here are 5 ideas for keeping this spirit alive at home.
1. The Creative Workshop: Our Flag This is a timeless classic. Take out the paper, red paint, and scissors (or a pencil) for the green star. While making it, you can explain the meaning: "Red is the courage of our country, and the green star is our hope and our peace."
2. The Music Moment: The Soundtrack of Unity Play the anthem of the march, "Nidae Al Hassan" (The Voice of Hassan). It is a monument of our culture. Even without understanding all the lyrics, children feel the fervor and pride. Dance, sing, wave your homemade flags!
3. The Pastry Workshop: The Patriot Snack Why not prepare a cake or cupcakes? The challenge: a green glaze (mint, kiwi, or with a little food coloring) and red decorations (like strawberries or sprinkles). Celebrating also means (and above all) sharing a good gourmet moment.
4. The Color Code: Everyone in Red and Green! On November 6, dress in the country's colors! It's a very simple and visual way for children to feel part of the celebration. A green sweater, a red t-shirt... and you're all set!
5. The "Heritage" Moment: Grandpa and Grandma Tell Their Story This is perhaps the most valuable idea. Call the grandparents of your Wlidaty. And ask them THE question:
"Grandpa, Grandma, where were you on November 6, 1975?"
Maybe they participated! Or perhaps an uncle, a neighbor, or a family friend signed up as a volunteer. Ask them to recount their memories: the incredible atmosphere in the streets, the excitement on the radio, the immense pride of an entire nation.
By doing this, you are no longer telling "History" in a distant manner; you are transforming it into the story of your family. And that is the most beautiful transmission.
Conclusion:
More than just a public holiday, the Green March is a life lesson for our children. It is proof that the love for one's country, unity, and faith can move mountains, and in the most peaceful way possible.
Wlidaty wishes a joyful Green March Day to all Moroccan families.
FAQ: The Green March and our Wlidaty
Here is a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section that you can add to the end of your article.
Q1: My child is very young. At what age is it appropriate to talk to them about the Green March?
A: There is no "official" age! The important thing is to adapt the message. For a toddler (3-4 years old), simply participating in the atmosphere, dressing in red and green, and drawing a flag is enough. It is a celebration of the colors of their country. It is around 5-7 years old that you can start introducing the simple story of the "great peaceful march."
Q2: How can I talk about the Green March without getting into politics or complex subjects?
A: That is the whole challenge! The trick is to focus on the "how" and the "values," rather than the geopolitical "why." Focus on the human story: the impulse of 350,000 volunteers, the love of country, unity, and the peaceful nature of the event (Qurans and flags). It is a story of pride, not an international relations class.
Q3: Isn't it reductive to celebrate such an important event with cakes and drawings?
A: On the contrary, it's the best way to do it for a child! Children learn through play and concrete things. By associating the Green March with joyful, creative, and family activities (like baking or singing), you create a positive memory. You anchor the values of this day (pride, unity, peace) in a pleasant emotion. This is the basis of successful transmission.
