"A Gnaoua festival! Is that a joke?". That was the response of the very first sponsor approached by Neila Tazi, artistic director of the Gnaoua and World Music festival of Essaouira. That was fifteen years ago.

This sponsor was wrong because this pioneering festival has today become a true reference, as evidenced by the torrid inauguration evening orchestrated last night by the Gnaouas, Moulay Hassan square, on the occasion of the opening of a festival that needs no introduction. Fifteen Gnaoua masses and always the same energy that inhabits the enthusiasts of Gnaoua culture.

They were once again present in large numbers to applaud this very particular fusion, specific to Essaouira and of which one never tires. The first pulses were breathed by the Gnaoua masters maâlem Abdellah Akharraz, Said Oughassa and Abdeslam Alikan accompanied by the African troupe Djembe New Style and the French jazz guitarist Sylvain Luc.

"Yes, it is possible to regenerate, with each time the same intensity, this magic so particular to this festival" assures Neila Tazy, director of the festival and founder of the Gnaoua mass which had as its main merit to revive, at the same time as the city, the culture of its descendants of slaves from Black Africa whose music associates African ritual and cult of the saints of Islam. Very great international musicians are expected until Sunday.

The Souiri fusion factory hosts five creation projects in residence this year. In addition to the fusion proposed on Thursday evening, festival-goers will be able to discover the fruit of the work associating Maâlem Hassan Boussou with the Marseille group Nasser and the Moroccan rapper Mobydick, for a "Mix Up Maroc" in partnership with the Marsatac festival.

Cuban music and New York Latin jazz from Querencia will draw from the repertoire of maâlem Abdelkebir Merchane. In another residence, the Issaoua will ally themselves with Qawwali musicians from Pakistan. The Malian diva Oumou Sangaré will offer a show made in Africa.

But what is the Essaouira festival without its jazzmen? A dish without its greatest flavour, which is why the organisers wished to mark this fifteenth anniversary by inviting big names among whom Sylvain Luc trio – Organic who will perform with maâlem Abdeslam Alikane and his troupe Tyour Gnaoua. Other distinguished guests: the musicians of the Trio Joachim Kühn who will go on stage with Majid Bekkas, Ramon Lopez & the Gnaouas of Salé. Finally, the great German pianist Joachim Kühn will distil his notes in the lair of the immense Gnaoua mass.3 questions to Neila Tazi

"Next challenge. Register Gnaoua music as Unesco heritage"

Well that culture can have a real impact on the life of a city. Today, Essaouira and its festival are inseparable. It is a festival that has allowed Essaouira to experience a cultural revival and to make itself known throughout the world.

Cited by specialised magazines, the festival is today recognised as being one of the biggest festivals in the world. And that, we owe it above all to authenticity. It is the watchword of our approach. Then there is the quality and originality of the musical creations proposed, carried of course by the unique creative force of the Gnaouas.

Indeed. This is what today is close to our hearts. We are working on it, we have already undertaken several steps including the creation of Yerma Gnaoua which works for the promotion of Gnaoua heritage. But all this remains insufficient without a true political will.

This is why we are calling on the Ministry of Culture to help us advance this file. The approach is all the more important as Gnaoua culture spreads over a whole region which does not only encompass Morocco, but also Algeria and even Tunisia

Among the highlights of the festival, there will be the meeting of Abdeslam Alikane with the jazz guitarist Sylvain Luc. This promises a beautiful improvisation as Essaouira knows how to produce. Other highlights. The fusion of the Qawwali of Pakistan and the Issaoua of Meknès, the musical fusion between maâlem Hamid El Kasri and the saxophonist Soweto Kinch.

Another highlight to remember this year is a forum: "Societies in movement, cultures in freedom". It is an important moment because it will be a question of highlighting the role of culture in freedoms. Essaouira is a good illustration of this.

is director of the Gnaoua and World Music festival