Latest news with #GnaouaandWorldMusicFestival
Maroc
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Maroc
26th Gnaoua & World Music Festival Unveils First Highlights
The 26th edition of the Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival, to be held from June 19 to 21, 2025, is shaping up to be an exceptional event, and has unveiled today some of its first major highlights. For over a quarter of a century, the Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira has been much more than a musical event: it's a living cultural project, a driving force for transmission, dialogue, and innovation, the organizers said in a press release. This globally unique Festival celebrates the richness of Gnaoua heritage by bringing it into dialogue with music from all over the world, transforming Essaouira into an international crossroads where tradition meets modernity in the spirit of fraternity and creation. The festival reaffirms its key role in shaping the Moroccan and African cultural landscape, by launching major transmission initiatives, such as its partnership with the prestigious Berklee College of Music, and with the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) to establish a university Chair of Cross Cultural and Globalization, based upon the Gnaoua experience as a strategic laboratory of cultural hybridizations. The tradition of fusion: unforgettable musical events Over the years, Essaouira has been the scene of memorable encounters between the masters of Gnaoua and jazz and world music giants such as Pat Metheny, Joe Zawinul, Marcus Miller as well as Oumou Sangaré, Salif Keita and Youssou N'Dour. The Festival continues to build bridges between cultures and musical sensibilities, offering audiences rare moments of grace and communion. This year, the Festival will once again invite spectators to experience unprecedented and spellbinding fusions. Opening concert : Maâlem Hamid El Kasri, Bakalama dance company, Abir El Abed, and Kya Loum (Morocco, Senegal) Maâlem Hamid El Kasri—emblematic master of the Gnaoua repertoire—will join forces with the rhythmic power of the Senegalese dance company Bakalama, a leading reference in traditional West African dance and percussion, accompanied by the singular voices of Abir El Abed (Morocco) and Kya Loum (Senegal). Together, they will weave a vibrant musical bridge across the Atlantic, blending Morocco's trance traditions with the complex polyrhythms of Senegalese sabars. This concert officially opens the Festival under the sign of a living Africa, spiritual fervour, and shared vital energy. Fusion - Maâlem Houssam Gania with Marcus Gilmore (Morocco, USA) Heir to the great Gnaoua tradition through his father, the legendary Mahmoud Gania, Maâlem Houssam Gania embodies the new generation of an ancestral music in perpetual motion. Sharing the spotlight will be Marcus Gilmore, American prodigy and one of the most inventive drummers in contemporary jazz, bringing rhythmic finesse and modern composition to the stage. Having worked with giants such as Chick Corea, Esperanza Spalding, and Steve Coleman, Marcus Gilmore combines technical virtuosity, bold rhythm, and stylistic openness. Their meeting promises a free and inspired conversation between the deep percussion of the guembri and the sophisticated metrics of jazz. Fusion - Maâlem Mohamed Boumezzough with Anas Chlih, Aly Keïta, Tao Ehrlich, Martin Guerpin, Quentin Ghomari, and Hajar Alaoui (Morocco, Mali, France). Maâlem Mohamed Boumezzough will explore new horizons, sharing the stage with young Moroccan talents and renowned international musicians. Alongside him, Aly Keïta, master of the balafon from Mali, Anas Chlih (guitar), Tao Ehrlich (drums), Martin Guerpin (saxophone), Quentin Ghomari (trumpet), and Hajar Alaoui (vocals) will form a daring hybrid orchestra. Together, they will reinvent the codes of Gnaoua trance, blending African beats, jazz flights, and modern grooves in a creation that's all about celebration, musical freedom, and shared experience. Global Afrobeats phenomenon CKay joins the adventure ! (Nigeria) Since its inception, the Gnaoua Festival has always welcomed major pop and soul artists such as Ayo, Selah Sue, and, more recently, Saint Levant. In keeping with the spirit of openness, this year we welcome CKay, the rising star of Afrobeats. Originally from Nigeria, CKay is the author of the worldwide hit Love Nwantiti, which has been streamed over 6 billion times. A singer, songwriter and producer, he breathes new life into African music with a unique style known as Afro-Emo, fusing African rhythms, soul, and intimate lyrics. With his albums Sad Romance and Emotions, CKay has established himself as a leading voice of his generation, nominated for BRIT Awards, BET Awards and double-winner at the BMI Awards. His concert in Essaouira promises to be one of the highlights of this 26th edition. Since 1998, the Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival has shone through its ability to combine heritage and modernity, tradition and innovation. By investing in training, research, and creation, this Festival has played a significant role in building a genuine Moroccan and African cultural ecosystem, while offering audiences rare and unforgettable musical experiences. MAP: 06 mai 2025
CairoScene
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Gnaoua Festival: Celebrating 25 Years of Essaouira's Musical Legacy
Gnaoua Festival: Celebrating 25 Years of Essaouira's Musical Legacy After spending a few days enjoying the beautiful Moroccan coast last summer, I arrived in Essaouira for the 25th edition of the Gnaoua and World Music Festival, joining over 400,000 attendees. Founded in 1998, the Gnaoua Festival was created to highlight and restore Essaouira's neglected splendor, reclaiming the beauty and cultural richness of Morocco's music while uniting musicians, artists, and aficionados from Morocco and around the globe. 2024 brought some of the world's most exciting artists to the stage, from revered Gnaoua master musicians like Maâlem Abdleslam Alikkane, Maâlem Hassan Boussou, and Maâlem Mustapha Baqboub, to contemporary electronic Moroccan-Tunisian duo Aïta Mon Amour, Brazilian artist Ilê Aiyê, flamenco artists Nino de Los Reyes and Sergio Martinez, and many more. Neila Tazi—festival producer, founder of A3 Communications, and one of the most prominent advocates of Gnaoua music internationally—has dedicated years to bringing the Festival to its current global prominence. Francesca, an architect from Rome visiting the festival, remarked how Essaouira's urban fabric was energized by concerts spread across the city: "As an architect and music lover, I was really struck by how the city's urban fabric was in synergy with each event, creating intimacy in each space. I felt hosted and gathered by the city through the music." For its 25th edition, the festival expanded its offerings, partnering with Berklee College of Music for a week of talks and workshops around Essaouira. Additionally, it established a dedicated Gnaoua culture chair in collaboration with the Center for African Studies at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Benguerir. These initiatives build upon the festival team's monumental efforts over the past quarter-century, placing Morocco firmly on the global cultural stage and encouraging musicians from Africa and beyond to participate, honoring the Gnaoua heritage. "When the idea of a collaboration between Berklee and the Gnaoua World Music Festival first emerged, it felt like a natural fit," said María Martínez Iturriaga, Senior Vice President of Berklee Global. "Both institutions share a deep commitment to celebrating and preserving the rich musical traditions of Africa and the African diaspora while fostering spaces where these traditions can engage in dialogue with cultures from around the world. The educational program we launched together last June embodies this vision, serving as a dynamic creative laboratory where musicians from diverse backgrounds learn not only from Berklee's esteemed faculty but also from one another. We are thrilled to continue this collaboration and eager to witness the new sounds and artistic exchanges that will emerge from this unique learning experience." Berklee has confirmed its participation for the 2025 festival, following their successful inaugural partnership. Saint Levant's headline performance was celebrated by fans from diverse backgrounds, delivering a powerful message of Palestinian liberation on the main stage. Marek Razzouk, founder of Abu Recordings and Saint Levant's manager, highlighted the importance of participating in the festival: "Gnaoua is one of the most fascinating genres to ever come from North Africa. Its fusion of culture and influences transcends borders, and in many ways, Gnawa is our very own jazz." Razzouk added, "It's great to support local festivals and initiatives, but we as young artists and budding executives are genuinely grateful for these platforms and opportunities." A highlight of the festival was the vibrant array of workshops. A standout was the Zaouli Tradition workshop by the Gnaoua Festival team, spotlighting dance and storytelling from the Gouro people of Ivory Coast. The two-hour session drew an audience of all ages and backgrounds, blending storytelling, music, and dance into an unforgettable experience. "Beyond the impressive lineup, the Zaouli tradition workshop was a joy," shared an attendee. "Learning beginner dance steps with such a diverse crowd was exhilarating and offered a real sense of connection." The Gnaoua Festival celebrates the convergence of musical communities from Africa and beyond, providing an essential, unique space to learn, dance, and engage in authentic community spirit. The next Gnaoua and World Music Festival will take place from June 16th to 21st, 2025, in Essaouira.
Morocco World
13-02-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Vueling Links Barcelona to Essaouira in Summer Route Expansion
Doha – Barcelona-based airline Vueling, part of IAG group, announced today the launch of new international routes signaling a major leap in its summer operations, with Morocco's coastal city of Essaouira being a key addition to its network. 'Vueling becomes the only airline that will have the connection between Barcelona and Essaouira this summer,' the company stated in its announcement today, spotlighting the exclusivity of this new Moroccan route. The airline will operate flights between Barcelona and Essaouira twice weekly, with services running on Thursdays and Sundays from July 3 to October 23. This Moroccan connection forms part of Vueling's broader international expansion, which includes new routes to Tivat (Montenegro), Rimini, Salerno (Italy), and Tirana (Albania). The expansion comes as the airline adds three new aircraft to its Barcelona fleet in 2025, increasing its weekly seat capacity by 9% compared to summer 2024. Vueling plans to offer 16 million seats from Barcelona during summer 2025, connecting the Spanish city with more than 90 destinations, including 70 international and over 20 domestic routes. 'These new connections not only reinforce our base principle, but also consolidate our commitment to connect Barcelona with unique international destinations,' said Jordi Pla, Vueling's Network and Strategy Director. ADVERTISEMENT Essaouira, the newest Moroccan addition to Vueling's network, is known for its rich cultural heritage and coastal appeal. The UNESCO-listed city features a historic medina with a grid system of streets, traditional souks, and significant landmarks including the Skala de la Ville fortified walls with their bronze cannons. The coastal destination has gained recognition for its artistic atmosphere and cultural significance. The city hosts the annual Gnaoua and World Music Festival in June, celebrating traditional Gnawa music. The city's position on Morocco's Atlantic coast has also established it as a prominent location for surfing and kitesurfing, particularly during the summer months when conditions are ideal for beginners. With this expansion, Vueling continues to strengthen its position as a key operator at Barcelona-El Prat airport, having programmed more than 27 million seats across its entire network for the summer season. Read also: First Electric Ferry Route to Connect Morocco-Spain with Zero-Emission Vessels
