The 24th session of the three-day Gnaoua and World Music Festival came to an end on Saturday in Essaouira, leaving behind an aura of joy. This unique fraternal edition welcomed about 300,000 music lovers from all corners of the world who expressed their affinity for the performances through their own voices.
A statement from the organizers said that the 24th iteration of the event was exceptional, as the huge global audience could be witnessed enjoying the activities in their authentic version surrounded by a festive milieu. The organizers noted that they were pleased with the event’s success.
About 300,000 attendees roamed between Moulay El Hassan Square, Beach Square, Bab Marrakech Tower, and other notable locales such as Dar Souiri, Bayt Dakira and Zaouia Issaouia, seeking unique and extraordinary experiences accompanied by the rhythms and improvisations.
This session also featured exceptionally diverse programming under the slogan of “Participation, Joy and Sharing,” pointing out that during the three days, more than 35 Gnaoua “maâlems” (masters) performed exciting performances, fusing bold rhythmic blends with genuine Gnaoua music.
The source added that 480 musicians from Morocco and 15 other countries projected the echo of world music outside the walls of the city with approximately 50 scheduled concerts, in highlighting artistic representation from nations such as the United States, Burundi, Pakistan, France, Germany, Belgium, Cuba and many others whose participants were obviously mesmerized by their Gnaoua counterparts’ call to expression.