Rabat – The city of Meknès is set to host the Aïssaoua Festival – Modes and Rhythms of the World from July 22-25, bringing together spiritual traditions and musical heritage in one of Morocco’s most significant cultural gatherings.
This year’s edition will take place under the theme: “Sufism and the unity of the Kingdom: the Commander of the Faithful, spiritual and constitutional guarantor of the national and territorial unity of the Kingdom.”
Festival director Hatem Ibn Abdelkrim said the event is intended to establish Meknes as a hub for knowledge, cultural dialogue, and the preservation of Morocco’s rich spiritual and artistic heritage. The Aïssaoua Festival aims to celebrate Aïssaoua art as a cornerstone of Morocco’s cultural heritage while exploring the spiritual dimensions of Sufism through music, dialogue, and artistic exchange.
This year’s edition will welcome more than 15 Moroccan and international artists, over 55 Aïssaoua brotherhoods, and upwards of 1,000 masters and spiritual leaders.
The lineup includes performances by Amine Boudchar, Asma Lamnawar, Wael Jassar, Dounia Batma, Zouhair Bahaoui, and Ach Kayn, alongside many other artists.
The festival’s music nights will serve as the centerpiece of the program, showcasing the distinctive rhythms, chants, and spiritual traditions of Aïssaoua music.
Beyond the concerts, the event will also host an international forum dedicated to Sufism and launch the new Aïssaoua Heritage Academy, an initiative designed to promote learning, research, and the transmission of the centuries-old tradition.
The program will further highlight cultural exchange by featuring Tunisia’s renowned Malouf musical tradition, led by Mohamed Ali Jelali.
Festival activities will take place across several of Meknès’ historic landmarks, with one of the main attractions being a national exhibition hosted at the recently restored Bab Mansour pavilion.
