Where Continents Converge: Fez Sacred Music Festival Kicks Off with a Renaissance of Spirit
Fez – As the sun set over the ancient walls of Bab Makina, the 28th Fez Festival of Sacred Music transported audiences into a realm where tradition and transcendence intertwined.
This year's opening night, curated under the visionary theme 'Renaissances: From Nature to the Sacred,' presented a meticulously crafted journey through sound, movement, and spiritual expression, bringing together an extraordinary ensemble of artists from across continents and traditions.
Morocco's Princess Lalla Hasnaa presided over the opening ceremony of the 28th annual Fez Festival of World Sacred Music.
The first day of the festival featured Le Deba, the mesmerizing Sufi ritual performed by women from Mayotte in the Comoros Islands, their chants and swaying movements invoking centuries of devotional practice.
From this foundation of African Sufism, the stage welcomed Omar Areej Mawlidi, whose soulful Omani Sufi chants bridge the Arabian Peninsula with North African spirituality.
Guiding the audience through this odyssey is Malian actor and storyteller Habib Dembélé, whose resonant narration wove together the evening's diverse performances with the timeless power of oral tradition.
West Africa's kaleidoscopic sacred arts took center stage as Le Zaouli de Manfla unfolded, its intricate masked dance embodying ancestral wisdom through breathtaking precision.
The rhythm intensified with the towering presence of Les Échassiers, their stilted movements creating a living bridge between earth and sky, followed by the Compagnie Méhansio from the Ivory Coast, whose ritual leopard dance channeled raw, primal energy through disciplined artistry.
The spiritual journey continued with Senegal's Kassaïdes mourides from Dahira Safinatoul Aaman, their devotional hymns celebrating the Sufi path of Sheikh Amadou Bamba.
Morocco's mystical heritage showed is real colors through Le Sama de Meknès, where whirling dervishes spun in celestial harmony, their movements a visual prayer.
A striking counterpoint emerged as Corsican mezzo-soprano Battista Acquaviva breathed new life into Renaissance sacred music, her crystalline voice echoing through the courtyard like a revelation from another age.
The evening reached its crescendo with the thunderous Tambours du Burundi, whose polyrhythmic mastery transformed the space into a pulsating temple of sound.
Behind this multisensory masterpiece stands a team of visionary creators: Alain Weber's masterful conception and staging, Jean-Paul Méhansio's evocative choreography, Christophe Olivier's luminous lighting design (assisted by Gaël Boucault), and Spectaculaires' immersive mapping projections.
As the final notes faded into the Fez night, this opening ceremony stood as a living testament to the festival's enduring mission to show, through the universal language of sacred art, the profound connections that bind humanity across cultures, eras, and beliefs.
With eight more days of programming ahead, the 28th edition promises to be a true renaissance of the spirit, inviting all who attend to rediscover what it means to be human in an ever-changing world. Tags: Fez World Sacred Music FestivalMorocco culturesacred musicSufi music
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Morocco World
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Naghash Ensemble Brings Armenian Spirituality to Fez in A Soulful Dialogue Across Time
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In an exclusive interview with Morocco World News (MWN), Hodian delved into the soul of the ensemble's work, the deep labor of creativity, and what it means to bring Armenian mystical texts to life in a Moroccan context. 'This is our first time performing in Morocco,' Hodian said with visible excitement. 'One of the things I'm so thrilled about is the very nature of this festival… it's very inclusive. Armenians obviously are Christian people, and what a wonderful thing that they would ask us to come here and be part of it.' Performing in a country where Islamic culture deeply informs its musical and spiritual traditions, the ensemble's presence is a symbol of interfaith dialogue and cultural exchange. 'We're thrilled to be here,' Hodian emphasized. 'I really am.' The spiritual power of ancient words, reimagined The ensemble takes its name from Mkrtich Naghash, a 15th-century Armenian priest and poet whose meditative, mystical texts form the backbone of the group's repertoire. Mkrtich Naghash's texts, written in the aftermath of political turmoil and exile, explore themes of faith, suffering, and transcendence. The Naghash Ensemble amplifies these emotions through a sound that is at once ancient and strikingly contemporary. Hodian, the group's founder and creative force, composes original music inspired by these centuries-old writings. But this is no museum piece. 'The music we do is all new music that we've created,' Hodian explained. 'But it's based on ancient texts… That's why we're called the Naghash Ensemble.' What makes this synthesis remarkable is the intuitive way Hodian brings together disparate eras and musical styles. 'I don't consciously think this is old, this is new, this sounds Armenian, this sounds contemporary,' he said. 'It is just me responding to these words… I have to trust that I just use my intuition. That's all I have.' An ensemble without borders The musical configuration of the ensemble itself speaks to its boundary-crossing ethos. 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Fez Celebrates 44 Years of UNESCO Heritage with Music at the World Sacred Music Festival
Fez – Yesterday, the historic Bab El Makina in Fez became the stage for a transcendent musical experience, marking the 44th anniversary of the city's inscription on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. This special event was part of the 28th edition of the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music, a gathering that unites artists and audiences in a shared celebration of spiritual and cultural heritage. A grand convergence of tradition and spirituality Under the guidance of renowned Moroccan maestro Mohammed Briouel, 44 virtuoso musicians specializing in Moroccan Andalusian music, known as 'Al Ala', joined forces with 44 Moussamiines (Sufi singers) from various Moroccan zaouias, led by Sheikh Ali Rebbahi. Together, they embarked on a musical journey through the 11 'Noubas' and all the 'Toubous' of 'Al Ala,' enriched by the 'Mayazines' and 'Al Adrajs', compositions originating from Moroccan zaouias that have expanded the 'Al Ala' repertoire. This collaboration culminated in a unique Sufi musical experience and presented a unique spiritual journey that resonated deeply with the audience. The performance was further enhanced by the presence of 20 Foukaras, who accompanied the ensemble, adding rhythmic depth to the 'Hadra', a collective Sufi ritual. The repertoire featured the profound words of great Sufi masters such as Omar Ibn al-Farid, Abu al-Hassan al-Shushtari, and Mohammed al-Harrak, whose poetry and philosophy have long inspired spiritual seekers. A tribute to Fez's cultural legacy This event was not merely a concert but a tribute to Fez's rich cultural and spiritual heritage. The city, with its centuries-old traditions and status as a UNESCO World Heritage site, has long been a center of learning and spiritual reflection. The 44th anniversary of its UNESCO designation is a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving and celebrating intangible cultural heritage. The performance also put to the forefront the enduring legacy of Moroccan Andalusian music, a genre that blends Arab, Andalusian, and Amazigh influences, reflecting the diverse cultural tapestry of Morocco. By bringing together master musicians and Sufi singers, the event showcased the living tradition of 'Al Ala' and its capacity to adapt and thrive in contemporary settings. A night to remember As the evening unfolded, the audience was enveloped in a soundscape that transcended time and space. The intricate melodies of 'Al Ala', the soulful renditions of Sufi poetry, and the rhythmic accompaniment of the Foukaras created an atmosphere of profound spiritual connection. The performance was a testament to the power of music to unite people across cultures and generations, while also fostering a shared sense of reverence and awe. The 44th-anniversary celebration at the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music was more than a commemorative event; it was a living expression of the city's commitment to preserving and promoting its cultural heritage. Through such initiatives, Fez continues to serve as a beacon of spiritual and cultural dialogue, inviting the world to experience the depth and beauty of its traditions. As the festival continues, it remains a testament to the enduring power of music and spirituality to bridge divides and foster a deeper understanding of our shared human heritage. Tags: Fez World Sacred Music Festivalsacred musicSufi musicUNESCO Fez
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