The first guembris and castanets will resonate this evening in Essaouira

Gnaoua masters representing all regions of Morocco, along with artists and groups from all four corners of the globe, will kick off the 16th edition of the highly popular Gnaoua World Music Festival this evening. This is one day before the start of summer and the International Music Day, to which the festival will add a local flavour.As every year, the Gnaoua masters, some members of their families, as well as the Hmadcha and Issaoua brotherhoods, will meet in the late afternoon around Bab Doukkala, from where a long procession will depart, leading them to the ramparts of Place Moulay Hassan.The festivities will truly begin only after the opening speech. Starting at 8 p.m., the Emirati ensemble Annadi Al Bahri will take the stage, offering traditional Bedouin and Arabic percussion with great rhythmic subtlety.Considered one of the most famous folk troupes at the national level, the Houw…