This year, the event which attracts festival-goers from around the world offers 53 concerts and exceptional mergers. After the traditional parade of brotherhoodsa musical creation special will celebrate transatlantic brotherhood. Musicians and dancers from Moroccoof Brazild’Spain and of Ivory Coast will merge their talents to offer a unique sensory experience, mixing the captivating rhythms of Gnaoua, Brazilian Batucadaof Flamenco a you Ivorian Zaouli.
This historic moment will mark the first meeting on stage of three genres included in the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage : Gnaoua, Flamenco and Zaouli. Gnaoua legends like Maâlem Hassan Boussou et Mâalem Moulay Tayeb Dehbi will share the stage with Brazilian enthusiasts ofIlê Aiyêoffering a performance fusing African and Brazilian traditions.
The Dumanlé Companymaster of the Ivorian Zaouli, will challenge the flamenco zapateado by Nino de Los Reyes accompanied by the percussionist Sergio Martinez. This long-awaited merger promises to be a memorable moment, celebrating diversity and artistic creativity on a global scale.
Another merger scheduled at the festival, that of Mâalem Mohamed Kouyou, Rhani Krija, Guimba Kouyaté – The Best of Guimba Kouyaté, Jon Grandcamp, Kike Perdomo, Mehdi Chaib & HBS Trumpet. After an explosive performance during the opening concert of the twenty-fourth edition of the Festival, Mohamed Kouyou does it again with a new concert, the fruit of a residency where rigor and audacity go hand in hand. The Gnaoua audience will witness a dialogue between artistic and cultural tributaries who listen to each other, exchange, merge and amaze.
In a breath ofAfrica, Alune WadeSenegalese bass virtuoso and composer accustomed to prestigious collaborations, will cross his notes with Mâalem Abdelmalek El Kadiriyoung prodigy and spiritual son of the great Gnaoui masters like Mâalem Abdallah Guinea, Maâlem Abderrahman Paco et Mâalem Cherif Regragui. The Senegal and Morocco will also be represented in the merger of Ablaye Cissokoone of the most eminent virtuosos of Kora on a global scale, and Mehdi Qamoun who draws deeply on the rich musical traditions of his country, including Gnaoua, Houaral’It’s megathe Reggadaand the Merrakchiya blowwhich he revisits with a Electric Guembrithus propelling them towards modernity.
Still in Africa, Mâalem Tariq Aït Hmittiheir to the “Hmitti” clan, embarks on an explosive collaboration with the South African group BCUC. Known for its unique blends of African soundsof soul and of punk rock, BCUC promises to bring a rare intensity to this concert. During the closing evening on the Moulay Hassan scenethe meeting between Hamid El Kasri et Bokanté will sound obvious. Two artists with exceptional vocal performances (Hamid and Malika Tirolien), an atypical instrumentation that explores the richness of Creole sounds and the spiritual depth of Gnaoua music. This concert promises to be a unique moment where musical boundaries fade away to make way for a bold and inspiring harmony.
