Breathtaking 24th edition of Gnaoua festival in Essaouira
Nearly 300,000 festival-goers at the 24th edition of the Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival
The 24th edition of the Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival ended in an unprecedented climate of popular jubilation, confirming the universal vocation of this unique and fraternal event which welcomed nearly 300,000 festival-goers for three days.
An exceptional edition also by its sharp but accessible programming under the sign of communion, joy and sharing, according to the press release, which makes it known that for three days, more than 35 mâalems, undisputed masters of the festival, offered timeless moments of rare beauty, transporting the public between daring fusions and pure Gnawa tradition.
In total, 480 musicians from Morocco and 15 countries made world music resonate well beyond the city walls, with around fifty concerts scheduled. United States, Burundi, Pakistan, France, Germany, Belgium, Cuba … the musicians of the world have, once again, responded to the invitation of their colleagues the Gnaoua Maâlems. An enthusiasm of international artists and a confidence that the festival has managed to build over the years through perseverance, stubbornness and determination and above all thanks to its original philosophy, from which the festival has never departed, based on the spirit of sharing, discovery and fraternity. As usual, this 24th edition opened a parenthesis that allowed the magic to express itself, underline the initiators.
The festivities started with a parade of Gnaoua musicians around the old town of Essaouira.
Last year, for the first time in its history, the festival organizers opted for a “travelling festival” which, after a first stopover in Essaouira, took the musicians to Marrakech, Casablanca and Rabat.