Gnaoua Festival 2024: Celebrating Culture, Music, and Human Rights

Essaouira’s Gnaoua and World Music Festival marks its 25th anniversary with a vibrant blend of music, intellectual discourse, and cultural festivities.

The historic city of Essaouira is set to continue its silver jubilee celebrations today with an eclectic mix of performances, discussions, and workshops at the Gnaoua and World Music Festival. This year’s event promises to be a memorable convergence of traditions and contemporary sounds.

A Forum for Human Rights and Future Visions

Kicking off the day, the 11th edition of the festival’s Human Rights Forum will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hôtel Atlas Essaouira & Spa. This year’s theme, “Morocco, Spain, Portugal: A History That Looks to the Future,” will see scholars, politicians, artists, and civil society figures engage in discussions about the shared histories and future trajectories of these nations, especially in light of their joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Workshops and Conversations

Festival-goers can also participate in a Batucada workshop led by the Brazilian group Ilê Aiyê, offering a hands-on experience with Afro-Brazilian percussion. Meanwhile, The Talking Tree, hosted at the Institut Français of Essaouira from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., will provide a relaxed environment for artists, journalists, and attendees to engage in meaningful conversations.

An Evening of Musical Extravaganza

Moulay Hassan Stage

The musical festivities will commence at the Moulay Hassan Stage with Maâlem Mohamed Boumezzough’s performance at 8 p.m. This will be followed by a set from the celebrated American jazz ensemble, The Brecker Brothers Band Reunion, at 9:30 p.m. At 10:30 p.m., Maâlem Mohamed Kouyou will perform a fusion set with international artists including Rhani Krija, Guimba Kouyaté, Jon Grandcamp, Kike Perdomo, Mehdi Chaib, and HBS Trumpet. The stage will close with a performance by Palestinian artist Saint Levant at 11:50 p.m.

Beach Stage

Over at the Beach Stage, Maâlem Abdelkebir Kbiber will perform at 8 p.m., setting the stage for a fusion performance by Maâlem Tariq Aït Hmitti and South African group BCUC at 9:15 p.m. Maâlem Abdelkebir Merchane will follow at 10:30 p.m., with Moroccan band Issam Kamal & Mazagan rounding off the night at 11:50 p.m.

Intimate Lila Concerts

The intimate lila concerts will continue across various historical venues, featuring performances by:

- Maâlems Abderrahim Oughessal and Abdenbi El Guedari at Dar Souiri
- Maâlems Ahmed Baalil and Saïd Boulhimas at Bayt Dakira
- Maâlems Abdelkader Hadada and Abdelaziz Soudani at Zaouia Issaoua
- Maâlems Seddik Laarch and Abdelkader Amlil at Zaouia Sidna Blal

Street Performances and More

The festival’s “OFF IN THE CITY” programming will bring the streets of Essaouira to life in the late afternoon with performances by the Hmadcha of Essaouira at Place de l’Horloge (Clock Square), the Issaoua of Essaouira at Place El Khaima, and Ivory Coast’s La Compagnie Dumanlé at La Sqala.

With such a diverse lineup of events and performances, the second day of the Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of musical fusion, intellectual dialogue, and cultural richness, continuing the city’s 25th anniversary festivities in grand style.