Friday, November 1, 2024 at 11:13
Essaouira – The City of the Alizés was adorned with a thousand lights, Thursday evening, for the opening of the 19th edition of the Festival of Andalusias Atlantiques, an unmissable cultural event which, for almost twenty years, has established itself among the the most prestigious artistic events.
Initiated by the Essaouira-Mogador Association, this musical event attracted for its kick-off a large audience of music lovers who came to discover the rich nuances of Andalusian music, interpreted with mastery by artists of various nationalities and faiths, in a vibrant cultural and spiritual dialogue.
Thus, this ceremony was enhanced by the presence of the Advisor to HM the King and founding President of the Essaouira-Mogador Association, Mr. André Azoulay, the governor of the province of Essaouira, Adil El Maliki, the mayor of Essaouira , Tarik Ottmani, the United States Ambassador to Morocco, Puneet Talwar, the Swiss Ambassador to Morocco, Valentin Zellweger, as well as other eminent Moroccan and foreign personalities from various backgrounds.
In an opening speech, the general secretary of the Essaouira-Mogador Association, Kaoutar Chakir Benamara, welcomed the long-awaited return of the Atlantic Andalusias Festival, designed as a space for reunions placed under the sign of sharing, conviviality and living together.
“In a world marked by tensions and crises, this edition is intended to be an invitation to embrace the path of art, tolerance and fraternity,” she underlined, specifying that this year’s programming , imbued with this spirit, will offer the public three days of a musical journey where identities intersect, discover and transcend, thus celebrating the very essence of cultural diversity.
On the main stage set up in the Essaouira sports hall, the Rawafid Orchestra of Tangier, a true jewel of the Moroccan Andalusian musical scene, opened the ball, under the direction of Maestro Omar Metioui, with a striking interpretation of the “Touichia Btayhi Al istihlal”, an introductory piece imbued with richness and depth which captivated the audience from the first notes, thus establishing an intimate link between the artists and the music lovers present.
Continuing this captivating musical journey, the orchestra then continued with several pieces which wonderfully illustrate the complexity and beauty of Andalusian compositions, immersing the audience in a sound universe rich in emotions and subtleties.
Each piece, performed with undeniable virtuosity, highlighted the subtleties of the different “noubas”, highlighting refined arrangements and dazzling improvisations which aroused passionate reactions from the audience.
For the occasion, artists such as Salah Eddine Mesbah, Omar Jaydi and Marc Marciano were invited to join the stage, offering a sophisticated musical work, in a bold collaboration between generations having highlighted the splendor of the national “Matrouz”, this Moroccan musical tradition harmoniously mixing Arabic and Hebrew poetry.
The evening continued with a captivating second part, during which Leonor Leal, an artist with irresistible charisma, ignited the stage with a revisited interpretation of flamenco in the style of Essaouira.
With contagious energy, the Spanish artist, supported by talented musicians, fused classical and contemporary elements to deliver a dynamic show that transported the audience into a whirlwind of passion and emotion.
To close this memorable inaugural evening, Omar Metioui, Leonor Leal and their musicians, united their talents to offer a dazzling performance, mixing Andalusian and flamenco sounds in a singular harmony.
This unprecedented collaboration was the high point of an evening rich in emotions, celebrating artistic diversity and strengthening the links between the musical traditions of Morocco and Spain.
In a statement to MAP at the end of the concert, Maestro Omar Metioui said he was delighted by the warm welcome from the audience and the palpable energy that reigned in the room, highlighting the importance of this festival. as a space for cultural dialogue and sharing, allowing artists from different origins to come together around Andalusian music.
“It is an honor to participate in this celebration of artistic diversity and the richness of our heritage,” he added, noting that these moments of musical communion are essential to strengthen ties between cultures and promote a message of peace and tolerance.
For his part, the artistic director of the festival, Abdessalam Khaloufi noted that this inaugural evening perfectly embodies the mission of the festival, which is to promote Andalusian music while encouraging cultural exchanges between Moroccan and international artists.
“We still have much to discover and celebrate, and I am convinced that the public will be delighted by the surprises that await us,” he continued.
For its 19th edition, more than a hundred musicians, singers and dancers will come together to offer a rich and varied program, ranging from traditional concerts to contemporary performances, highlighting the exceptional diversity of Andalusian music.
The three days of festivities promise to be an unmissable event for music lovers, artists and the curious, eager to experience unique and authentic moments.
