The port city of Essaouira is once again hosting its emblematic Gnaoua festival. After three years of interruption and two editions canceled because of the Co2vid, traditional Gnaoua music and the world music that accompanies it will thrill thousands of festival-goers this weekend.
The streets of Essaouira come to life again. Here, the Gnaoua Festival represents an identity. And even if, this year, the concerts are divided between four cities to avoid large gatherings, festival-goers have responded to the return of music to Essaouira.
“As soon as it was announced that the festival would take place, the reaction from the public was enormous. It’s fun. To see this atmosphere and to see this desire to follow it even if the festival is not, as usual, people are there, are present, the public is loyal to Gnaoua”, explains Hassan Boussou, the artistic director of the festival.
Like every year, the traditional Maalem Gnaoua is accompanied by artists from all over the world. Performances called “fusions” in which the Malian Old Farka Touré had no trouble integrating.
After several days of rehearsals, he will play tonight on Place Moulay El Hassan: “When we started working, but let the musicians drop, it looks like we’ve known each other for 20 years, but for some, it’s been two days. That is to say: they play a certain form of energy, a certain form of sacredness, they are proud and they want to do this for their culture. This is what is especially important.”
After another day of concerts tomorrow, the Gnaoua are flying to Marrakech for the second stage of the festival next weekend.
