Marrakech Festival of Popular Arts kicks off in style

The Festival president says they are delighted to organise the 51st edition after a two-year break due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

MARRAKECH - The 51st edition of the Marrakech National Festival of Popular Arts kicked off Friday in style after a two-year hiatus because of the restrictions imposed in Morocco to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The festival, which is organised by the Ministry of Culture and Communication and the Grand Atlas association July 1-5, is seeing the participation of dozens of traditional music troupes from across the North African country besides Spain which is this year’s guest of honour.

“We are delighted to organise this 51st edition after a two-year break due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions,” Knidiri Mohammed President of the festival and the Grand Atlas association told Middle East Online.

“Some 53 traditional music troupes will be singing at the Badii Palace and other parts of the city in a festive carnival,” said Knidiri.

“Our relationship with Spain has dramatically improved in the last few months. Spanish artists From Andalusia will come and play with us and showcase their most popular music of flamenco,” he added.

Ali Harkous, president of the association of Ahouach youth for Amazigh culture and the revival of heritage, said that he has taken part in the festival since 1999.

Harkous was feeling sorrow because he said the young generation was not interested in inheriting this precious heritage that has been passed down from previous generations.

“I go to local schools in Imintanout to ask teachers to give me some 14- to 15 year-old students to teach them our traditional music on Sundays in a bid to preserve this priceless heritage but parents object it because it is not a steady source of income,” Harkous told Middle East Online.

Declared by UNESCO a masterpiece of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the festival is privileged by its openness to all intercultural approaches.

Brahim Bikri, president of the Issawa heritage group of Fes, said his troupe was representing the Meknes-Fes region.

“We are privileged to take part for the first time in this iconic festival which has been preserving Morocco’s popular arts and heritage,” Bikri told Middle East Online.

“We founded our association for the very reason to help preserve Issawa music which is rich in prophetic chants and spiritual rhymes,” said Bikri.

“I was born in a family gathering of eulogizing God. This is why I love the Issawi heritage which I believe is in safe hands,” he added.

The street parade of all music troupes to mark the start of the festival started from Harti Gardens all the way to Badii Palace amid a huge crowd and tight security.

The National Festival of Popular Arts is one of the oldest festivities of its kind and features traditional music, theatre, poetry and art.