Fez — A musical evening dedicated to Moroccan Andalusian heritage took place in Paris on March 5, bringing together members of the Moroccan diaspora and music enthusiasts for a concert centered on the traditions of Tarab Al Ala, Sufi samā, and Malhoun.
The event was organized by the association “Les Ambassadeurs de la Musique Andalouse Marocaine en France” and held at Cabaret Sauvage in the La Villette district, a venue known for hosting cultural and musical performances in the French capital.
The evening was conceived as an immersive experience designed to highlight the richness of Morocco’s Andalusian musical tradition, which traces its origins to the cultural exchanges between Al-Andalus and the Maghreb during the medieval period.
Throughout the night, the audience was invited to explore a repertoire rooted in centuries of musical practice preserved in Morocco. The performance combined orchestral arrangements, choral singing, and poetic interpretation drawn from both classical Andalusian compositions and Morocco’s Sufi musical heritage.
Andalusian repertoire and Malhoun poetry
The program featured pieces inspired by Tarab Al Ala, the classical Andalusian musical tradition that has been preserved and transmitted in Moroccan cities such as Fez, Tetouan, and Rabat for generations.
The evening also included interpretations of Malhoun, a poetic musical form deeply rooted in Moroccan oral tradition. The genre blends poetic storytelling with music and has historically been performed in gatherings and cultural celebrations across the country.
Singer Fadwa Tadist performed several selections from the Malhoun repertoire, contributing to the evening’s exploration of Moroccan musical heritage.
An immersive performance format
The concert adopted a participatory format in which the orchestra and choir were positioned around the audience rather than on a traditional stage. This arrangement allowed attendees to experience the performance from within the musical setting.
The format echoed the atmosphere of traditional musical gatherings where musicians and listeners share the same space, reinforcing the collective nature of the performance.
Audience members followed the rhythms and melodies as the evening unfolded, creating an atmosphere of shared participation throughout the performance.
Promoting Moroccan heritage abroad
Founded in 2020, the association “Les Ambassadeurs de la Musique Andalouse Marocaine en France” works to promote and preserve Morocco’s Andalusian musical heritage through concerts, masterclasses, and cultural initiatives organized throughout the year.
The association is composed largely of Moroccan students and professionals living in France who share an interest in transmitting the traditions of Andalusian music to new audiences.
Through performances and educational activities, the group contributes to maintaining the presence of Moroccan Andalusian music within cultural spaces in France while introducing the genre to audiences beyond the Moroccan community.
The Ramadan concert in Paris formed part of these ongoing efforts to highlight Morocco’s musical heritage and keep the centuries-old Andalusian tradition visible in international cultural venues.
