I grew up in Morocco. I was born a Muslim, and, every year, I celebrated Christmas in a big white house in the country, halfway between Meknes and Fez.

In this quote, Leila Slimani reflects on her unique upbringing in Morocco, where she was born into a Muslim family but still participated in Christmas celebrations. Her experience highlights the blending of cultural and religious traditions, as she describes celebrating Christmas in a "big white house" situated between two cities, Meknes and Fez. This duality reveals the diversity and complexity of her background, where religious identity and cultural practices intersect.

Slimani’s mention of celebrating Christmas despite being born a Muslim suggests a sense of openness and intercultural exchange in her upbringing. It reflects a broader theme of how different cultures, beliefs, and practices can coexist within a single family or community. Her experience challenges the idea of rigid boundaries between religious and cultural celebrations, emphasizing that personal traditions can transcend religious affiliation.

The imagery of a "big white house" in the countryside creates a sense of both privilege and nostalgia, evoking the feeling of a special, intimate environment for these celebrations. The geographical context, with the house located between Meknes and Fez, both important Moroccan cities, further situates her in a region of historical and cultural significance, enriching the backdrop of her multicultural experience.

Slimani’s quote illustrates the fluidity of cultural identity and the personal nature of holiday traditions. It highlights how individuals can shape their own experiences and find ways to celebrate and embrace different aspects of both their religious and cultural worlds, blending them into something uniquely their own.