The 20th International Nomads Festival: A Cultural Oasis in the Desert

As this festival celebrates a milestone, it is bringing the magic of the Sahara and nomadic cultures to life once again.

Fez– From April 10 to 13, the golden dunes of M’Hamid El Ghizlane will transform into a cultural hub, welcoming artists, artisans, intellectuals, and curious adventurers from around the world.

Under the theme “A City Without Walls in the Heart of the Desert,” this milestone edition promises an unforgettable blend of tradition, music, and innovation.

For two decades, the festival has been a tribute to nomadic heritage, offering an immersive journey through the richness of Saharan traditions.

This year’s program will be a feast for the senses, with music, dance, crafts, gastronomy, and ancestral customs taking center stage.

Visitors can explore traditional crafts, savor local delicacies, witness ancient desert sports, and experience the hypnotic beauty of Saharan dance performances.

It’s more than an event, it’s a living, breathing celebration of a way of life that has thrived for centuries.

Music has always been at the heart of the festival, and this year’s lineup blends traditional Saharan sounds with global influences, creating a fusion of past and present.

The legendary Nass El Ghiwane will lead the audience on a mesmerizing musical journey, delivering their signature blend of Moroccan soul and poetic lyricism.

Said Tichiti, a native of the region now based in Budapest, will bring a unique mix of Moroccan and Hungarian influences, while Kader Tarhanine and Imarhan Timbuktu will infuse the air with the rhythmic energy of Algeria and Mali.

Attendees will also experience the poetic melodies of Mohamed Ali Ailla, the Amazigh beats of Tarwa Nayur, and the traditional Kurdish sounds of Mîrkut, proof that music transcends borders and connects cultures in the most powerful way.

Beyond its vivid performances, the festival serves as a platform for knowledge-sharing and dialogue.

Conferences and roundtable discussions will bring together experts, local actors, and visitors to address crucial topics such as environmental preservation and sustainable development in desert regions.

Recognizing the importance of modern resilience, the festival will also offer digital security workshops, ensuring that even in the vast openness of the desert, communities remain equipped to navigate the digital world safely.

For 20 years, the International Nomads Festival has celebrated freedom, cultural exchange, and the preservation of ancestral wisdom.

With support from major institutions such as the Provincial Council of Zagora, the Moroccan National Tourism Office (ONMT), the Drâa-Tafilalet region, the Ministry of Culture, the Banque Populaire Foundation, Barid Al Maghreb, and the Institut Français du Maroc, it has inspired similar cultural initiatives worldwide.

Through music, art, and meaningful conversations, this festival continues to prove that culture is a driving force for positive change, sustainability, and the enduring spirit of nomadic life.