Fez Festival of World Sacred Music Highlights of the first weekend of the 27th edition
Twenty-seven editions and not a single wrinkle for the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music (FFMSM). The spiritual capital’s flagship event, which has contributed over the years to the dialogue between cultures and religions, is still going strong.
According to Abderrafie Zouiten, President of the Esprit de Fès Foundation, which organizes the event. He is well aware of the importance of this event for the city that hosts it, the enthusiasm it generates, its economic spin-offs and its international influence.
It is no coincidence that every year, the FFMSM is honored by the presence of HRH Princess Lalla Hasnaa. And so it was last Friday, May 24, at the kick-off of the 27th edition. Dressed in traditional garb, Lalla Hasnaa presided over the opening of the 2024 edition. As usual, the national and international top brass turned out for the «Zyriab or the Fifth String» show.
Among those present were Mohamed Mehdi Bensaïd, Fatim-Zahra Ammor, and Zineb El Adaoui, respectively the Minister of Youth and Culture, the Minister of Tourism, Handicrafts, and the Social Economy, and the President of the Court of Auditors.
Mrs Zineb El Adaoui said she was «captivated by the magic of Fez and its festival», as she arrived at the Bab El Makina square (the main site for sacred music). Mehdi Bensaïd echoed Mrs El Adaoui’s feelings, saying that «all cultural activities in the Kingdom have resumed», much to the delight of festival-goers.
Tourism professionals were also happy, with «exceptional occupancy rates and double-digit growth». Fatim-Zahra Ammor declared to be «delighted with the momentum created by the festivals». The one in Fez is particularly popular, thanks to the historical legacy of the Idrissid city, as well as the magic of the places that host it (Bab El Makina and Jnane Sbil).
«The Minister has promised to support our destination», noted Moulay Ahmed Sentissi, President of the Fez – Meknès Regional Tourism Center (CRT). In the meantime, the diplomatic ballet witnessed on the opening night was reassuring for the image of Fez and its future. Indeed, several ambassadors accepted the invitation of the Esprit de Fès Foundation. Among them were Guillaume Scheurer, Ambassador of Switzerland, Armando Barucco, Ambassador of Italy, Borja Montesino, Minister-Counsellor, Chargé d’Affaires at the Spanish Embassy in Morocco, and Seynabou Dial, Ambassador of Senegal. The inaugural evening, sponsored by Bank of Africa, was also attended by Brahim Benjelloun-Touimi, Houria Benjelloun, Nouzha Alaoui, El Hadi Chaibainou, Driss Benhima, Nawal El Moutawakel, Najib Zerouali, and Hammou Ouhelli, among others. They were all won over by the show-creation featuring over 80 artists from 18 countries, including Spain, France, Egypt, India, and Morocco.
Sami Yussuf, victim of his own success!
After a rhythmic and well-prepared first evening, Bab El Makina welcomed the public. Over 5,000 people are expected to attend Sami Yussuf’s 3rd performance at the Fez Sacred Music Festival. The star of this year’s program ended up attracting more people than expected. Yussuf was a victim of his own success, with many festival-goers standing to watch the show. Others strongly objected to the disorganization. On stage, “ the greatest musical star of the Muslim world ” was accompanied by Nabyla Maan and Ismaïl Boujia, as well as an orchestra made up of musicians of Moroccan, Turkish and Iranian origin. Considered one of the most influential musicians of our time in the World Music category, Sami Yusuf said he was honored by his participation in Moroccan festivals, and particularly the one in Fez. “ It is a great honor for me to take part in this festival accompanied by Moroccan artists and Mounchidines ”, he told L’Economiste.
A prize for young talent
The festival’s initiators are keen to encourage budding young artists. To this end, they have created the “ Young Talent Award – Esprit de Fès ” for the winners of the Fes Conservatory of Music. Organized in partnership with the “Esprit de Fès” Foundation, this prize was awarded by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa at the end of the inaugural evening, in the violin and Qanoun category, to Khadija Amiri, Omar Benhayoun Sadafi, Yassir Tajmouati, and Meryem Chekrada. “ This is a strong signal of encouragement for young musicians, and testifies to our determination to make Dar Tazi, the Foundation’s headquarters, a place of exchange and learning ”, emphasized the president of the festival.
Y.S.A.
