Latest news with #LallaHasnaa
Maroc
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Maroc
Fez Festival of World Sacred Music Deepens Morocco's Connection to African Roots
The 28th Fez Festival of World Sacred Music, whose opening ceremony was chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa on Friday evening, shines a spotlight on Africa's beauty, diversity, vitality, and spirituality. From the very first moments of the magnificent opening performance on the Bab Makina stage, the African dimension emerged vividly, imbued with rich meaning and aligned with this year's theme of "Renaissances." According to a press release from the Esprits de Fès Foundation, the festival celebrates Africa as a fertile land where nature and man are part of an ancient ecology that offers its civilizational model to the world, while illustrating the role of Fez as a spiritual beacon and a hub for cultural and religious renewal movements across the continent. "We wanted to pay tribute to Africa, a continent whose youth ensures the preservation and celebration of its age-old traditions, the transmission of its heritage for future generations, thus contributing to its cultural renaissance," Abderrafia Zouitene, President of the Foundation stated. This tribute, further anchores Morocco in its African roots and is in line with Morocco's commitments to South-South cooperation in accordance with the royal vision, he added, as quoted in the press release. In the days to come, an eclectic program will take audiences on a journey from ecstasy and meditation, celebration and trance. The festival will feature artists from the Maghreb (Morocco) to West Africa (Senegal, Mali, Ghana), East Africa (Burundi), and beyond, including the Indian Ocean (Mayotte), the Caribbean (Haiti), and the wider world of the African diasporas. The 28th Fez Festival of World Sacred Music is being held from May 16 to 24, under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI under the theme: "Renaissances." (MAP: 18 May 2025)
Morocco World
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
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
Morocco World
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
Princess Lalla Hasnaa Inaugurates 28th Fez Festival of World Sacred Music
Fez – The air smelled of global harmony and cross-cultural dialogue as Morocco's Princess Lalla Hasnaa presided over today's opening ceremony of the 28th annual Fez Festival of World Sacred Music. Held at Fez's historic Bab Makina, the ceremony unfolded as a grand show of sacred arts, a pure reflection of this year's theme of Renaissances. A dedicated advocate of cultural heritage and environmental sustainability, Princess Lalla Hasnaa's presence noted the festival's enduring mission to foster dialogue among civilizations and promote peace through the arts and culture. In last year's edition, the Princess also graced the renowned festival with her presence. A night of musical pilgrimage The ceremony unfurled as a spiritual odyssey, featuring performances from Omani Sufi chants to Corsican Renaissance hymns. The Tambours of Burundi brought the evening to a thunderous moment, their rhythmic mastery echoing through the imperial city, a fitting tribute to the festival's mission of fostering South-South dialogue. Many more artists took the crowd by surprise with their out-of-this-world performances. As the final notes of the opening night faded, the crowd's thunderous applause marked not an ending, but a beginning – the launch of nine magical days where Fez will transform into the world's undisputed capital of sacred arts. From this inaugural spectacle to the last echoing chant, the festival is now officially ready to unveil its full potential of cross-cultural dialogues, midnight Sufi ceremonies, and transcendent performances that will resonate through the Fez ancient medina's winding alleys. With eight more days of programming still to unfold, the 28th edition promises a true renaissance of the human spirit, an invitation to rediscover our shared humanity in a world in constant flux. As Fez becomes the spiritual heartbeat of the world, may all who gather be uplifted, inspired, and transformed. Tags: CultureFez MusicFez sacred music festivalLalla Hasnaa
Ya Biladi
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Ya Biladi
Princess Lalla Hasnaa and Brigitte Macron chair first board meeting of the Royal Theatre Foundation of Rabat
Princess Lalla Hasnaa, President of the Royal Theatre Foundation of Rabat, presided over the foundation's first board meeting on Thursday at the theatre itself, accompanied by Brigitte Macron, wife of the French President. The Royal Theatre of Rabat, a flagship project inspired by the vision of King Mohammed VI, reflects the importance Morocco places on arts and culture. The newly formed board of directors, made up of prominent figures from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds, will be responsible for establishing and guiding the institution's strategic direction. Board members include: - Cheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums - Brigitte Macron - Othman Benjelloun - Michael Zaoui - Makhtar Diop - Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo - Gad Elmaleh - Michel Canesi - Hélène Mercier-Arnault - Farid Bensaïd
Morocco World
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
Princess Lalla Hasnaa Chairs First Meeting of Rabat Royal Theater Foundation
Doha – Princess Lalla Hasnaa, president of the Rabat Royal Theater Foundation, chaired the first session of the Foundation's Board of Directors on Thursday. The meeting took place at the Royal Theater in Rabat. French First Lady Brigitte Macron accompanied the Princess at this important event. The Royal Theater represents King Mohammed VI's vision for arts and culture. The Board of Directors will establish and enhance a strategic framework for this institution, following Royal directives. The Board brings together prominent figures from various backgrounds. It includes Sheikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, and Brigitte Macron, wife of the French President Emmanuel Macron. Other members are Othman Benjelloun, Michael Zaoui, Makhtar Diop, and Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo. The Board also includes Gad Elmaleh, Michel Canesi, Hélène Mercier-Arnault, Farid Bensaïd, and Mohamed Yacoubi. This diverse Board combines legitimacy, expertise, and passion. Sheikha Al Mayassa brings bold perspectives on patronage and museography. Meanwhile, Brigitte Macron's presence further strengthens cultural ties between France and Morocco. Gad Elmaleh, a Franco-Moroccan comedian with global influence, represents theater as a universal art form. Financial figures Othman Benjelloun and Michael Zaoui bring strategic rigor and enlightened philanthropy. Makhtar Diop, Managing Director of IFC (World Bank Group), ensures inclusive and sustainable cultural policies. Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, a Gulf cultural pioneer and founder of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, offers a visionary perspective on the Arab art scene. Concert pianist and committed patron Hélène Mercier-Arnault combines musical excellence with humanistic sensitivity. Cultural entrepreneur Farid Bensaïd, diplomat Mohamed Yacoubi, and physician-writer Michel Canesi complete this influential circle. Read also: Princess Lalla Hasnaa and Brigitte Macron Inaugurate New Royal Theater in Rabat Princess Lalla Hasnaa and Brigitte Macron inaugurated the Royal Theater on October 29, 2024. The project was initiated under King Mohammed VI's instructions. The theater is located in the Bouregreg Valley, near Hassan Tower and Mohammed V Mausoleum. This cultural landmark was designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. Construction began in October 2014 as part of a larger development plan King Mohammed VI launched in January 2006. The initial investment announced for this project was MAD 1.677 billion ($167.7 million). The theater spans 7.1 hectares with 25,400 square meters of built area. It features an auditorium with capacity for over 1,800 spectators, known for its unique geometric design that enhances acoustics. The venue is suitable for theater, dance, ballet, opera, musicals, and symphonic concerts. The facility also includes a second performance hall with 250 seats for various cultural events. Its exterior houses an amphitheater that can accommodate 7,000 people for festivals and large-scale events. The Royal Theater aims to boost Morocco's cultural landscape and elevate the country's cultural presence on the world stage. It represents Rabat's cultural and artistic renewal while promoting a modern approach to Moroccan art. Tags: Princess Lalla HasnaaRabat Royal Theater
