Safi – From July 2-6, Marrakech’s El Badi Palace will host the 55th Festival National des Arts Populaires, filling the historic site with drums, lutes, and thousands of dancing feet.
Under the theme “Popular arts, treasures of yesterday and today,” the event brings together performers from across Morocco for a celebration of living heritage.
The celebrations begin a night earlier in the streets. On July 2 at 7 p.m., a parade of more than 65 troupes and horse-drawn carriages will set off from the Hôtel de Ville on Avenue Mohammed V, winding through Jemaa el-Fna before reaching El Badi Palace along a five-kilometre route.
From there, each evening unfolds with a rotating lineup of folk troupes, including Ahidous drummers from the Atlas, Gnaoua performers in their cowrie-shell caps, Reggada line dancers, the Sufi rituals of Aïssaoua, and the powerful percussion of Daqqa Marrakchia.
Four major names headline the festival, each taking the stage on a different night. All performances, except one, are scheduled for 9 p.m. at El Badi Palace.
The program will open on July 3 with Abdou El Ghali, whose chaâbi orchestra delivers the kind of festive rhythms that naturally fill a courtyard with dance.
On July 4, the festival will move away from El Badi Palace for the Moroccan-African Night at Ben Youssef Madrasa.
Starting at 8:30 p.m., Nabyla Maan will take the stage in the historic former Quranic college, surrounded by its carved cedar and intricate zellij.
The following night, July 5, the festival will return to El Badi Palace with Hind Ennaira, one of the few women leading a Gnaoua troupe, guiding the audience through deep, trance-like rhythms on the guembri.
The edition will close on July 6 with Zina Daoudia, who headlines the Nuit des Stars, a tribute to her long-standing career.
Tickets start at just MAD 30 dirhams through Wanaut.
