Gnaoua and world music, a festival that lives in the city

The Gnaoua and World Music Festival returns, from June 22 to June 24, to the city of Essaouira. Having become, over the years, one of the major artistic events of the Moroccan and international cultural agenda, this edition pro­mises, say the organizers, exceptional moments that will be rich in terms of exchange and emotions. After a long absence due to the pandemic, the fes­tival is finally returning to its usual format, with more than forty concerts spread across the city, unprecedented fusions between gnaoua mâalems and musicians from the four corners of the planet, improvised jam sessions, and great debates of ideas. It will be a gigantic and continuous party, made of communion, joy, and the sharing of ideas and emotions, which have always characterized this authenti­cally Moroccan meeting with deep African roots. An exceptional line up is offered by this 24th edition with a program that is both unique, coherent, and accessible. The per­formers include Selah Sue, Ky-Mani Marley, Eliades Ochoa, Jaleel Shaw, El Comité, Gnawa Diffusion, Hoba Hoba Spirit, Trio Joubran, Faiz Ali Faiz, and Les Amazones d’Afrique… to name but a few. This edition in­tends to celebrate, once again, the richness and diversity of Gnaoua music and many other forms of world music from the United States, Cuba, Pakistan, Mali, Burundi, France, Bel­gium or from Germany. The sounds of the ubiquitous guembris (plucked string musical instrument) and cro­tales (antique cymbals, percussion instruments) will mingle with the sounds of jazz in all its diversity, fla­menco, reggae, salsa, or even Tua­reg or Tamil rhythms. Apart from the concerts, and sheltered from the tumult of the festive city and the overflowing energy of the big stages, there is another way of experiencing the festival, a more intimate way, in exceptional places, where purists and lovers of Gnaoua acoustic sounds rediscover a centuries-old tradition, as well as world music. This year the theme of the forum is “Identities and affiliations”. This is a hot topic in a world crossed by identity tensions and the refusal of otherness…

Some highlights of the festival

■ The parade, a beautiful moment of joy and sharing

The opening parade is always a mo­ment of joy. Much awaited by festi­valgoers and the inhabitants of the city of Essaouira, the parade is a prelude to three days of festivities, convivia­lity, exchanges, and intense moments. Three days of pure happiness to be ex­perienced in a city that has made tole­rance a way of life. A colorful show, led by the gnaoua maâlems, strolling through the streets to meet the inhabi­tants of the city and the festivalgoers to celebrate together the launch of the 24th edition.

■ An opening concert under the auspices of hybridization

A veritable hymn to the continent, the opening concert, which is the result of an exceptional residency, will bring together maâlem Mohamed Kouyou and maâlem Said Kouyou in fusion with the drums of Burundi Amagaba, Jaleel Shaw, and Sanaa Marahati. This concert already promises to be explo­sive, with nearly 25 artists on stage.

■ El Comité residency in agree­ment with Mâalem Khalid Sansi (Morocco-Cuba)

Being accustomed to the most daring collaborations, Mâalem Khalid Sansi does not hesitate to dare to mix and match, from contemporary dance to hip-hop, while rising up to the chal­lenge of remaining in the purest gnawa lineage. For this twenty-fourth edition, Khalid Sansi is going to meet the most bubbling band of Afro-Cu­ban music. Considered to be among the most brilliant and recognized Cuban musicians of their generation, El Comité brings together the grea­test talents of the young generation of Cuban jazz. The concert promises to be the grooviest of the season.

A. Bo