The city of Souk Sebt Oulad Nemma in the Fquih Ben Salah province hosted, last Tuesday, the conclusion of the first edition of the International Gnaoua Festival for Traditional Music, which kicked off last Saturday at the Cultural Complex in the city of Fquih Ben Salah, under the theme “Gnaoua music is a global Moroccan artistic heritage and a civilizational legacy,” with the Republic of Senegal as the guest of honour.
The festival was distinguished by the honoring of prominent figures who contributed to the advancement of the artistic and social field, as the great artist Maâlem Mustapha Baqbou, a member of the “Jil Jilala” group, was celebrated, and the edition bore his name. The artist Maâlem Hassan Boussou and Dr. Rachida Amrioui, a kidney specialist, were also honored in recognition of their multiple contributions.
The first edition of the festival presented a diverse program that included traditional musical performances by Gnaoua and national troupes, in addition to framing workshops aimed at teaching Gnaoua arts, and exhibitions dedicated to supporting young talents in the field of artistic creation. The festival also focused on the role of traditional music as a fundamental pillar for promoting local tourism, by highlighting the rich cultural heritage of the Fquih Ben Salah province.
The closing ceremony witnessed a large public attendance alongside local authorities, security personnel, the President of the Communal Council, councilors, parliamentarians, migrants, as well as heads of various departments and media, cultural, artistic, associative, and educational figures. The ceremony included distinctive performances by traditional artistic troupes such as “Gnaoua”, “Aissaoua”, and “Abidat Rma”, which added an exceptional festive atmosphere to this event.
In his speech, Zakaria El Alali, Artistic Director of the International Gnaoua Festival for Traditional Music, highlighted the importance of this event in preserving Moroccan cultural heritage and enhancing the status of the city of Fquih Ben Salah as a cultural and tourist destination.
El Alali said: “Through this festival, we were keen to highlight our ancient history and authentic values while paying attention to Gnaoua development, which represents an essential part of our national economy.”
The speaker also pointed to the international recognition of Gnaoua music as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, confirming that the High Royal Patronage constitutes support for the development of this ancient art and that the efforts of the provincial authorities were behind the birth of this first edition of this festival.
For his part, the President of the Souk Sebt Communal Council indicated in a statement to Hespress that these artistic activities come in line with the historic decision of King Mohammed VI to make January 14th of each year a paid public holiday.
The same communal official added that “this initiative reflects the High Royal interest in Amazigh culture as an essential part of the Moroccan identity.”
This successful celebration, which received support from the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region and the regional development company Atlas for Tourism Development, in addition to the provincial and communal councils of Fquih Ben Salah and the Provincial Association for Cultural, Social, and Sports Affairs, confirmed the importance of continuing these cultural events to enhance awareness of Moroccan artistic heritage and its role in local development. It also served as an occasion to renew the call to expand the scope of these events in the future, with the aim of attracting a wider audience and presenting more ambitious initiatives.
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