Enhanced by the presence of the adviser of SM the King and founding president of theEssaouira-Mogador association, André Azoulayand other personalities from the diplomatic, cultural and artistic spheres, this event, which is part of the “Seven suns seven moons», A meeting of popular music by the Mediterranean and the Lus-speaking world, which has stopped City of the Alizéswas an opportunity to highlight the avant-garde role of this treaty in the promotion of coexistence values and the strengthening of Moroccan-Portuguese relations.
On this occasion, the public was able to discover an unprecedented musical work, the fruit of an artistic residence that brought together renowned artists from the two banks of the Mediterranean, embodying, through their instruments and their voices, the richness of intercultural dialogue. Composed of the master of the Portuguese guitar Custódio Castelo, the Portuguese singer Ana Paula Martins, the Moroccan Oudist and singer Hamza Boukhlifi, the musician Gnaoui Khalid Amarouch and the dancer Issam El Haiti, the whole offered the assistance a bewitching fusion mixing fado and Moroccan sounds, in a vibrant tribute The story shared between the two countries. For two hours, the public vibrated to the rhythms of works drawn from the Moroccan repertoire, while discovering melodies inspired by the Portuguese heritage, in an atmosphere of openness and living together, in the purest Souirie tradition.
In a circumstance speech, the secretary general of the Essaouira-Mogador association, Kaoutar Chakir Benamara, said that this concert was intended to celebrate the values of tolerance, dialogue and creativity shared by Morocco and Portugal. “Essaouira has always been a land of exchange, mutual respect and harmonious coexistence. Through this unprecedented musical work, we wanted to celebrate not only a historical treaty, but also a living friendship between two cultures linked by the sea, music and history, “she noted.
This artistic project also constitutes a tribute supported by Custódio Castelo, which international criticism nicknamed the “Piazzolla du Fado”, and whose career has distinguished himself alongside emblematic figures such as Amália Rodrigues, Mariza, Mísia or Cristina Branco, added Mme Chakir Benamara. For their part, Moroccan and Portuguese artists have expressed their pride in having had the opportunity to share the scene on the occasion of this historic celebration, stressing the richness of artistic and human exchanges that marked their common residence.
Carried by the Essaouira-Mogador association, in partnership with the Portugal Embassy in Morocco, the Camões Institute, the Portuguese Ministry of Culture (DG Artes), as well as the artistic direction of the “Sete Sóis Sete Luas” festival, this event is part of the dynamics of Moroccan-Portuguese cultural cooperation, and in the continuity of efforts made by the City of Essaouira to Railling, internationally, the values of peace, diversity and dialogue between civilizations.
