The spiritual capital shines through its festival

The curtain rises this Friday, 13 June, on the twentieth edition of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music. And it is an original artistic production that will kick off the festivities. Entitled "Conference of the Birds: when cultures travel..." and directed by Thierry Poquet, this creation mixing singing, music and choreography is designed by the festival director, Faouzi Skali, and Layla Benmoussa, co-organiser of this edition. After the opening show, the public will have the opportunity to attend, until 21 June, several concerts, organised in the evening at Bab Al Makina and in the afternoons at the Batha Museum. The "A Soul for Globalisation" forum, an important meeting of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music, which will take place from 13 to 17 June around the theme "Cultures and identities in transition", will for its part invite Moroccan and foreign researchers, intellectuals and university professors to reflect on the subjects that cross our current events and to link them to a more global philosophical and spiritual reflection. Strengthened by this wealth and diversity which is part of the scholarly, artistic and spiritual tradition of the city of Fes, the World Sacred Music Festival has experienced growing success since its creation in 1994. From year to year, the festival draws an ever-increasing public, coming from the four corners of the world to discover universal spiritual and artistic traditions, and thus trace the paths of wisdom.

Only Fes, a lively and hospitable city, which contains within its roofs a thousand-year-old historical and cultural heritage, can meet these expectations and make its visitors live a unique human adventure, made of encounters, exchanges and interpretations of visions of the world. Aware of the role that the Fes festival plays in contributing to positive changes in mentalities and promoting cultural exchanges and encounters between peoples, the United Nations (UN) designated it in 2001 as one of the landmark events that have contributed in a remarkable way to the dialogue of civilisations. Another proof of this influence on a global scale is the creation of an international network of support and media coverage. Thus was born, in the United States, "Spirit of Fes Inc." which organises a programme of the Fes Festival and Forum every two years across twenty American cities. Several other cities such as Milan, London or Madrid have wished to become relays to spread the festival's message: that of the dialogue of spiritualities through music and the creation of a culture of peace, favoured by a plural globalisation, respectful of ethical and spiritual values. Apart from this promotion of the city of Fes and the enhancement of its image internationally, the festival also represents a real godsend for the city by generating direct, but also indirect, economic benefits. Indeed, due to the scale of the attendance it attracts, this festival presents real tourism opportunities, while contributing to boosting local commercial and artisanal activity, which makes it an unmissable lever for the cultural, tourism and economic development of the Idrissid city.

A programme with a universal spirit: The organisers offer the public a rich and diversified musical programme. The most anticipated concert this year is undoubtedly that of the great Iraqi singer Kadim Saher, who will perform on 20 June at Bab Al Makina for the greatest happiness of lovers of Arab song. Other highlights of the festival include the concert that will be given by Youssou N'Dour (Senegal) and Johnny Clegg (South Africa) in tribute to Nelson Mandela, as well as the musical performances of Roberto Alagna (France), Buddy Guy Legend & Hot 8 Brass Band (United States), Raza Khan (India), Coumbane Mint Ely Warakane (Mauritania) and Luzmila Carpio (Bolivia). As for the "Nights of the Medina", a musical and initiatory journey in the heart of the Riads, it will also extend this year over three nights, from 16 to 18 June, with concerts hosted by Wang Li (China), Majlis Trio (France), Ensemble Ataln (Ireland), Mor Karbasi (Spain), Zakir Hussain (India) and Khalil Abu Nicola (Palestine), among others.

Provider / Source : Le Matin