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Morocco World
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
Fez Festival of World Sacred Music Celebrates Africa's Spiritual and Cultural Renaissance
Fez – The 28th edition of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music opened tonight night at the historic Bab Makina, launching nine days of performances that honor Africa's enduring spiritual legacy and contemporary creative energy. This year's theme, Renaissances, reflects the continent's ancient traditions and their eclectic evolution in modern times. For centuries, Fez has stood as Morocco's spiritual and intellectual capital – a crossroads of Sufi mysticism, Islamic scholarship, and Andalusian musical heritage. Its ancient medina, home to the world's oldest university, Al Quaraouiyine, has long been a sanctuary for sacred arts, where music serves as prayer and bridge between cultures. The Fez Festival of World Sacred Music draws from this legacy to transform the city into a global stage where traditions converge. The festival's artistic director noted Africa's central role in this year's programming. 'We are celebrating Africa as a living civilization,' said Abderrafia Zouitene, President of the Fondation Esprit de Fès. 'From Morocco to Mayotte, from ancestral rituals to contemporary fusions, these performances show how tradition breathes new life into our global cultural landscape.' Friday's opening ceremony set the tone with a spectacular production that put together North African and sub-Saharan influences. Bridging eras through sacred music Over the coming days, audiences will experience everything from the devotional Sufi chants of Senegal's Mouride brotherhood to the earth-shaking drum ceremonies of Burundi's master percussionists. Each evening at Jnan Sbil garden, different spiritual musical traditions will take place, including Morocco's Aissawa and Hamadcha brotherhoods and Mali's legendary Master Musicians of Jajouka. Several artists, if not all, consider the festival as a connecting bridge between generations and genres. Malian musician Adama Sidibé, perhaps the last living master of the sokou, a traditional one-stringed instrument, will perform alongside French jazz violinist Clément Janinet in a groundbreaking collaboration. Haitian-Canadian saxophonist Jowee Omicil will present his unique fusion of Afrobeat, jazz, and Caribbean spiritual traditions, while Ghanaian harp virtuoso John Kwame Osei Korankye demonstrates how ancient instruments can speak to contemporary audiences. The festival culminates on May 24 with 'The Great Night of Griots,' featuring Mali's Ballaké Sissoko Orkestra alongside artists from across West Africa. These hereditary musicians and storytellers will perform epic narratives that have been passed down through centuries to connect modern audiences to the grandeur of the Manding Empire and Ashanti Kingdom. South-South unity Beyond the formal concerts, the streets surrounding Bab Boujloud will pulse with free performances, including the mesmerizing Zaouli mask dances from Ivory Coast and spectacular stilt-walking displays. The festival transforms all of Fez into a living celebration of sacred artistry and prove that these traditions remain as vital today as when they first emerged centuries ago. The Fez Festival of World Sacred Music continues through May 24, with performances daily at multiple venues throughout the city. The festival's celebration of Africa's cultural renaissance aligns with Morocco's longstanding commitment to South-South cooperation, a cornerstone of King Mohammed VI's foreign policy vision. By featuring artists from across the continent and its diasporas – from Senegal and Mali to Burundi and Mayotte – the festival creates a dynamic platform for cultural exchange that strengthens ties between African countries. This cultural diplomacy mirrors Morocco's broader efforts in economic and developmental cooperation across the Global South, particularly in Africa where the kingdom has invested significantly in infrastructure projects, educational exchanges, and interfaith dialogue. This African-focused edition reinforces the festival's and Morocco's roots in the continent while advancing a vision of cooperation that transcends geographical and linguistic boundaries. Tags: Fez sacred music festivalsacred musicSufi music
Morocco World
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
Fez World Sacred Music Festival Welcomes the World
Fez – Under the roof of Zalagh Parc Palace in Fez, voices from across continents filled the air with warmth, reverence, and anticipation. The festival's artists, organizers, and others gathered to speak about everything from their art to cultural connections. Abderrafie Zouiten, President of the Fez Esprit Foundation, took to the podium and greeted the room with a smile. 'Welcome to all, and thank you for being here. A special thanks to the journalists and the artists who have traveled from afar to be part of this journey.' Zouitene then spoke with conviction about this year's chosen theme: Renaissances. 'We often hear that word and think of Italy,' he said, pausing briefly. 'But Morocco, too, is undergoing its own kind of renaissance. A renewal. Culture now claims a larger space in our society. And that matters because culture shapes the Morocco of tomorrow.' He described Fez not just as a host city, but as a symbol. 'Fez stands as the oldest city in Morocco, more than twelve centuries of wisdom, art, and faith. It has always welcomed difference, always held the door open to the sacred and the secular alike.' The presence of artists from countries such as the Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mali, and Burundi, he said, mirrors the heartbeat of Africa, a continent powered by spiritual vitality and cultural exchange. 'Through this festival, we hope to show the strength and beauty that emerges when cultures cross paths.' This year's guest of honor, Italy, shares a rare and special connection with Fez. Italy's Ambassador to Morocco, Armando Barucco spoke of it with pride. 'Florence, the cradle of the European Renaissance, is twinned with only one city in the world, and that city is Fez,' he said. 'Since 1961, our two cities have shared more than friendship. They share a mission, to preserve beauty, foster dialogue, and elevate the human spirit.' Barucco also pointed to Italy's role at the festival. 'We asked ourselves what we could bring that would honor this invitation,' he said. 'So we turned to our musical heritage. Monteverdi, born in Cremona, stands as a pillar of Italian sacred music. By bringing his work here, we do more than perform, we extend a hand, a gesture of cultural respect.' Beyond the speeches, the room pulsed with stories. One artist from Senegal spoke of the joy he felt performing in the heart of Fez. Another, from Burundi, called the festival 'a celebration of the soul.' Each voice added another thread to the event, proof that while instruments may differ, the music and culture often speaks the same language. Moreover, Alain Weber, who served as the artistic director of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music since 2010 was also present. A key architect of the festival's evolution, Weber introduced immersive productions like 'Nights of the Medina,' which bring each year's theme to life through multimedia storytelling and cutting-edge mapping technology at Bab Al Makina. The Foundation also announced a deeper commitment to education. Through partnerships with five universities, UPF, Euromed, Sidi Moulay Ben Abdellah, Moulay Ismail, and the ancient Quaraouiyine, they seek to draw young minds into the world of heritage, tangible and intangible. As the gathering closed, the atmosphere remained electric, but grounded in purpose. Fez, once again, positioned itself as a city of memory and meaning. Tags: Fez festivalFez World Sacred Music Festivalmusic festivalSufi music
The National
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Art, music and film: 10 cultural festivals in the Mena region worth travelling to
The Middle East and North Africa is not only magnet for tourists, the region also offers a wide range of vibrant and dynamic cultural events for arts enthusiasts. From large music festivals in Morocco and Lebanon, to cutting-edge art fairs in Saudi Arabia, the region's events calendar is packed with experiences to captivate and inspire. Here are 10 events worth travelling to. The region has a new arts festival. The inaugural Art Week Riyadh will showcase works from more than 45 regional and international galleries, alongside a wide-ranging series of public talks. Running under the theme At the Edge, events will be held at various locations in the city. At Al Mousa Centre, 15 galleries will present solo and group exhibitions, while the Jax District will feature three exhibitions exploring Saudi Arabia's evolving cultural identity. The Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art is hosting Art of the Kingdom, and Adaptability: Ceramics. Running for more than 30 years, the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music is one of the most distinctive music gatherings. The festival in the northern Moroccan city showcases traditional and spiritual music from around the globe, while also hosting discussions that promote cross-cultural dialogue. Past events have featured an eclectic mix of artists, including the late Lebanese singer Wadih El Safi, American punk-poet Patti Smith, soul singer Ben Harper, and Qawwali master Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. This year's line-up will be revealed soon. The festival is one of Turkey's premier arts events. Its packed two-day programme includes art exhibitions, film screenings, concerts and philosophical discussions. While this year's line-up is yet to be announced, past guests have included authors Orhan Pamuk and Zadie Smith, artist and activist Ai Weiwei and experimental musician Laurie Anderson. North Africa's biggest music festival returned last year after a five-year hiatus, and it normally packs a bumper line-up of regional and international stars. This year looks no different with Hollywood star and rapper Will Smith announcing he will begin his European tour in Rabat. Held in venues across the Moroccan capital, Mawazine is a perfect opportunity to explore Rabat's neighbourhoods. Best of all, most of the concerts are free. Expect crowds of at least 50,000 for shows on the main stages. Launched in 2020, the festival emerged from the severe disruptions of the pandemic to become one of the region's most vibrant film gatherings. Screenings and discussions are held in venues across the Jordanian capital, ranging from open-air cinemas and cultural centres to independent theatres. While it boasts a strong international programme of feature films, documentaries and shorts, the festival is also a platform for new voices from the Arab world. Past festivals have welcomed acclaimed figures such as filmmaker Nadine Labaki and Palestinian actor Ali Suliman. The festival in the ancient Roman city of Jerash has hosted generations of revered singers in its historic amphitheatre, surrounded by breathtaking archaeological ruins, over almost four decades. Celebrating the Arab world's rich musical heritage, past performers have included Lebanese star Fairouz, Iraqi singer Kadim Al Sahir and Jordan's own Omar Al Abdallat. Come for the sounds, stay for the sights. The Baalbeck International Festival is the crown jewel of Lebanon's cultural calendar and a landmark event in the Arab world, having run for nearly 70 years. Its roster of past performers reads like a who's who of music history, with Umm Kulthum, Fairouz, Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald gracing its stage. Audiences can expect another rich line-up spanning classical music, Arabic pop and contemporary dance. While the official programme and dates have yet to be announced, local media reports suggest the festival will begin on July 25, with events typically unfolding over two to three weeks. The El Gouna Film Festival, set against the stunning backdrop of Egypt's Red Sea coast, has become one of the region's most glamorous cinematic gatherings. It may not yet carry the gravitas of Morocco's Marrakesh International Film Festival, but El Gouna more than makes up for it with its star-studded guest list, red-carpet premieres and a strong programme of Arabic cinema and international films. Past attendees include actress Hend Sabry, director Mohamed Diab, and Oscar winner Forest Whitaker. Visa For Music spotlights emerging artists from the Mena region through a dynamic programme of showcases, conferences and networking sessions. Each day features multiple performances across Rabat, covering a broad spectrum of genres from Moroccan Gnawa to the desert blues of Mali. Since its launch in 2014, the festival has helped to launch the careers of acts including the Moroccan-French fusion band Bab L'Bluz and the Sudanese group Alsarah and The Nubatones. Initially conceived as a lead-up to the mammoth Soundstorm music festival in Riyadh a week later, XP Music Futures has since grown into an event in its own right. Blending industry panels, masterclasses and workshops by day with high-energy concerts by night, the festival spans multiple stages and showcases the latest sounds emerging from Saudi Arabia and the wider region. It's an exciting convergence of music, creativity and forward-thinking dialogue that's defining the region's sonic future.
