The city of Agadir is preparing to host, from 22 to 25 July, the twelfth edition of the "Timitar Festival: Signs and Cultures" under the theme "Amazigh artists welcome world music".
"Once again this year, African, Cuban, oriental, jazzy, hip-hop, Andalusian, and tarrab rhythms will make the city of Agadir vibrate and make it the symbol, for the duration of the festival, of values of tolerance and respect for differences," indicates a statement from the organisers. An ancestral land of Amazigh culture, the capital of Souss will welcome artists from all horizons to celebrate on a Moroccan stage the joy of living in a world where living together is experiencing its hardest moments, the statement explains, specifying that "Timitar is thus an opportunity to shed light on values dear to the Kingdom, starting with overcoming differences." It is, the same source continues, a gamble made possible thanks to the universal values conveyed by music, but also thanks to an audacious programme, designed according to a humanistic vision, in order to reach all genres and all audiences.
With Amazigh music in the spotlight, Ahwach, Rayssa Tihihit, Rayss Outajajt, Lajwad, and Aït Laati will open the ball of festivities each evening, an opportunity to rediscover with wonder these ancestral songs and dances that make up all the beauty of Amazigh culture. Sensitive to the message delivered by Timitar, many artists have responded to its call, starting with the Moroccan scene with Hindi Zahra, Khansa Batma, Mazagan, Daoudia, Don Bigg, Saïda Charaf, and H. Kain, while Algeria will be represented by Réda Taliani.
As for artists from elsewhere, Timitar will welcome Yuri Buena Ventura from Colombia, the famous Jordanian artist Macadi Nahhas, as well as Diana Haddad, or even Bachar Khalife, son and successor of the famous Marcel Khalife.
Groups will not be left out, as the festival will give pride of place to the Chekara Flamenco orchestra, the lutenist Rabeh Abou Khalil, and Ricardo Ribeiro, as well as the great Agadir star Driss Maloumi and his troupe.
While Timitar celebrates the contemporary cultural scene in all its abundance, it does not forget those who are absent, as a vibrant posthumous tribute will be paid to Oum Kalthoum, as a sign of recognition for the great names who have contributed to writing the history of musical heritage in golden letters.
From Al Amal Square to Bijawane Square, passing through the Verdure Theatre, this twelfth edition of the Timitar Festival, placed under the sign of celebration and generosity, opens its arms to its public for a moment of sharing.
