Fez– Turkey’s centuries-old Sema ritual was among the highlights of the opening night of the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music, bringing a message of spirituality, devotion and cultural exchange to the historic city.
Speaking to MWN Lifestyle magazine on the sidelines of the festival, Turkish Ambassador to Morocco Mustafa İlker Kılıç said he was proud to see the tradition represented in Fez, describing the event as an important platform for sharing cultures and spiritual heritage from around the world.
The ambassador noted that Turkey was represented this year by the Konya Ensemble Sema, which performed during the festival’s opening ceremony and is also scheduled to take part in the closing evening alongside singer Sami Yusuf.
Originating from the city of Konya, the Sema ceremony is a centuries-old spiritual practice rooted in the teachings of Sufism.
The ritual is best known for the whirling movement of its performers, whose dance carries deep symbolic meaning.
According to Kılıç, the central message of the ceremony is love, particularly the love of God.
He explained that the symbolism of the ritual reflects a spiritual connection between heaven and earth, with one hand receiving from God and the other passing that blessing on to humanity.
The ambassador added that the Sema ritual remains a significant part of Turkey’s cultural and spiritual heritage, making its presence at the Fez festival particularly meaningful.
As artists and performers from different traditions gather in Fez, the Turkish participation once again sheds light on the festival’s role as a meeting point for cultures, faiths and shared human values.
