Fez Festival of World Sacred Music Returns in May 2025 With Italy as Guest of Honor

Fez is tuning up for a spiritual and cultural revival this May with the return of its iconic World Sacred Music Festival

Fez – The 28th edition of the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music is officially set to light up the spiritual capital of Morocco from May 16 to 24, 2025, under the theme “Rebirths.”

This year’s program is once again curated by the Spirit of Fez Foundation, known for turning the city into a luminous crossroads of cultures, music, and meaning.

And here’s the big news: Italy is the guest of honor, bringing with it a Renaissance flair that’s right at home in a city like Fez, where ancient walls have long echoed with the sounds of coexistence and creativity.

This edition brings together over 200 artists from 15 countries, including Turkey, France, Spain, Switzerland, Oman, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Burundi, and Togo.

It’s a beautiful patchwork of traditions and rhythms designed to move both the body and the soul.

The opening night will be a standout, a scenographic and musical voyage through time and civilizations.

Think of it as a cultural time machine, with every note pulling you deeper into the stories and sensibilities of distant lands. It’s not just a concert, it’s an immersion.

Why “Rebirths”? According to the organizers, it’s about reflecting Morocco’s evolving role as a hub for cultural, spiritual, and artistic renewal, a space where traditions are not only preserved but reimagined.

A special focus on Africa

The festival, now nearly three decades old, remains faithful to its mission: promoting peace, coexistence, and shared beauty through sound.

As Abderrafia Zouitene, President of the Spirit of Fez Foundation, puts it: “Fez has always been a beacon of transformation.

It’s a city of open arms, where civilizations have converged and merged for centuries. This year’s theme embraces that spirit of renewal, echoing the city’s role in shaping both spiritual thought and artistic exchange between Africa and the Mediterranean.”

The 2025 edition also has a special focus on Africa, in sync with Morocco’s broader vision of South–South cooperation.

A vibrant lineup of African musicians is set to take the stage, highlighting the continent’s rich heritage and the urgency of passing it down to new generations.

This year, the festival’s central message is that cultural rebirth means honoring the past while keeping it alive in the present.

As for Italy, its selection wasn’t random. With its Renaissance legacy, particularly from Florence, a twin city of Fez, the connection is symbolic.

Both cities stand as timeless symbols of art, spirituality, and intercultural dialogue. Together, they’ll show how sacred music can still build bridges between epochs and people.

Fez is ready. Are you?