Casablanca – The Swedish Embassy in Rabat hosted a soft-launch reception for YO! Fest on September 24 at the Swedish Ambassador’s Residence, ahead of the festival’s official opening in the capital.

The evening brought together music, culture, and guests from the Moroccan and Swedish creative circles for an intimate preview of the festival’s program. 

A festival connecting Morocco and Sweden 

YO! Fest is a cultural festival that brings together artists, creators, and audiences through music, art, and cultural exchange. 

The 2026 edition puts Sweden in the spotlight as Guest of Honor, creating a platform for Swedish and Moroccan creatives to meet, collaborate, and share their work. 

The festival’s program features performances and cultural events designed to encourage dialogue between different artistic scenes and communities.

An intimate musical evening 

An intimate concert by Iraqi-Egyptian-Swedish musician Nadin Al Khalidi and her bandmates added a musical dimension to the evening. Al Khalidi, who has been based in Sweden for nearly 25 years, performed alongside guitarist Andreas Hordakis, percussionist Fredrik Hille, and bassist Cassius Lambert.

Speaking to MWN Lifestyle magazine on the sidelines of the event, the Swedish Ambassador to Morocco welcomed Sweden’s role as Guest of Honor and reflected on music’s ability to connect people across cultures.

“Even if you don’t understand each other’s language, with music you get a better sense to understand other people,” the ambassador said, describing the reception as a small taste of what guests could expect from the festival.

For Al Khalidi, the evening also marked a warm introduction to Rabat. After arriving two days earlier, she said she and her fellow musicians had been met with “extreme warmth and generosity” from both the people and the city.

The musicians perform together in different bands and configurations, including Taraband, a larger ensemble that Al Khalidi hopes to bring to Morocco next year.

“Thank you so much, Rabat, and I hope we come back again soon,” Al Khalidi said.