Fez Festival of World Sacred Music
Another festival that earns a spot on our list of the most famous festivals is none other than the renowned Fez Festival of World Sacred Music. The Fez Festival of World Sacred Music and its Forum, which were founded in 1994 and 2001, respectively, under the high patronage of His Majesty Mohamed VI, are part of Fez's scholastic, artistic, and spiritual legacy. This event has been gaining in popularity since its start. The Festival was named one of the most remarkable events contributing to the dialogue of civilizations by the United Nations in 2001.
Because of its allure, the Festival has attracted world-renowned artists from all over the world who share a desire for the divine. Some of these celebrities include Joan Baez, Patti Smith, Bjork, Ben Harper, Paco de Lucia, Ravi Shankar, Sabah Fakhri, Kadhem Saher, Mounir Bachir, Asmaa Lamnawwar, Wadi Al Safi, Julia Boutros, Sheikh Yassin Al Tuhami, William Christie, Barbara Hendricks, Jessie Norman, Jordi Saval, Tereza Berganza, etc.
The Festival has had thirteen editions, each with its own set of surprises, because the Festival also flourishes as a nursery, revealing to the public previously undiscovered talents, or as an event that encourages ambitious initiatives, newly born from the imaginations of brave musicians and writers. Since a few years, and at the request of its artistic director, the Festival has also been creating large-scale pluri-disciplinary projects that are displayed at the Festival's opening ceremonies. On stage, ninety artists have occasionally succeeded each other.
The Fez Festival of World Sacred Music lasts nine days and features a spectacular lineup of open-air concerts. You never know what you'll witness, from Iranian whirling dervishes to mystics, Sufi chanters, and international dancers. The exquisite Jnan Sbil Gardens and Bab al Makina, the parade ground in front of the Royal Palace, are among the venues. In between concerts, stop by the festival's street booths to experience traditional cuisine and drink.
Where: Fez
When: Usually in June, check online for confirmed dates.
