The curtain fell on Saturday evening in Essaouira on the 25th edition of the Gnaoua and World Music Festival, after three days of festivities celebrating artistic and cultural mixing.
The closing concert began with the Gnaoua notes of Maâlem Ismail Rahil, rich in rhythm and spirituality. His agile fingers danced on the strings of his guembri, releasing deep and captivating melodies.
The evening was also marked by the performance of Buika, with a powerful and expressive voice. Renowned for her ability to navigate between several styles and registers, Buika brought her unique touch through exceptional vocal mastery.
Considered one of the most unique singers on the Spanish and world scene, Buika has blended the soul of flamenco with the depth of jazz, transcending linguistic and musical barriers.
Then, the American-Quebec-Guadeloupean group Bokanté took over, bringing their distinctive blend of Caribbean music, blues and rock. The group stood out with their energy and infectious rhythms.
With their songs with poignant lyrics and complex arrangements, this supergroup, composed of the talented Malika Tirolien and instrumentalists from diverse backgrounds, offered a musical immersion inspired by their origins.
Finally, Hamid El Kasri, the gnaoui master, closed with a transcendent performance. His guembri playing and traditional songs transported the audience into the mystical world of the Gnaoua, evoking centuries of traditions and rituals.
El Kasri, known for his deep voice, was joined on stage by the group Bokanté for an unprecedented fusion exploring the richness of Creole sounds and the spiritual depth of Gnaoua music.
This edition saw the participation of more than 400 artists during 53 concerts. A rich and avant-garde program, placing fusions at the heart of its program and offering the public a wide range of original music and sound experiments.
Alongside the concerts, the 11th edition of the Human Rights Forum of the Gnaoua and World Music Festival was held, organized in partnership with the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad, around the topical theme “Morocco, Spain, Portugal: a history with a future”.
LNT
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