Fez — The curtain closed Saturday in Bouzmou and Imilchil on the 2025 Imilchil Moussem des fiançailles and the Festival of Mountain Music—hallmark events in the High Atlas that marry living tradition with community commerce.
The closing featured the customary collective marriage ceremony near the Mausoleum of Sidi Hmad Oulamghani in Bouzmou, attended by the governor of Midelt province, Abdelwahab Fadhil, alongside local officials.
Organized by the Akhiam Association in partnership with the communes of Bouzmou and Imilchil, the 2025 edition ran over several days under the theme “Authentic Heritage and Sustainable Tourism in Service of Local Development.” Organizers framed the program as a celebration and safeguard of the Greater Atlas’ customs and heritage.
The calendar combined evening performances by folk troupes from across Morocco alongside a craft-and-terroir fair, academic panels, children’s activities, and sports competitions. The mix drew strong local participation and visitor turnout across venues in Bouzmou and Imilchil.
Cultural authorities and partners positioned the 2025 edition as part of a broader push to pair heritage stewardship with sustainable tourism models suited to mountain communities. The dates aligned with advance notices that set this year’s celebrations in the September 18–20 window.
While the Imilchil betrothal moussem has long drawn national and international attention for its collective weddings and Amazigh music, local officials emphasized this year’s focus on structured commerce and youth-oriented programming, including educational workshops and recreational events.
With the 2025 festival concluded, organizers and local stakeholders signaled their intent to build on this year’s momentum in future editions, leveraging the region’s cultural assets for inclusive local development in the High Atlas.
