15th World Sacred Music Fez Festival slated for May 29 to June 6

The theme this year will be "The Tree of Life", General Director of Esprit Fès, the festival organizing body, Fatima Sadiqi, said during a press conference to present the festival's program.   

The festival has tremendously contributed to the cultural scene both nationally and internationally, she said.

Sadiqi said the choice of this year's theme is significant, as the festival aspires to gain more maturity and bring in more innovation, while preserving its original mission to bring people and religions closer.

She highlighted the universal character of the festival, which "appeals to everyone with no distinction and doesn't belong to a period or a religion."

The festival promises a rich and diverse program this year, she added.

The Palestinian cause will be present in the festival. The opening concert is to pay tribute to Lebanese musician Marcel Khalifa, and late Palestinian poet, Mahmoud Darwish, according to the festival agenda.

The event features splendid moments with prominent musicians, such as French jazz musician, Didier Lockwood, and Iranian percussionist, Keyvan Chemirani who is to present a blend of Greek, Moroccan and Spanish music.

Spiritual singer Sami Youssef and gospel and soul performer Marwa Wright are one of the new artists to hit the stage. The closing performance will be dedicated to Celtic music legend, Loreena Mc Kennit.

Several shows, exhibitions, and plays are scheduled, part of the “festival in the city” with the participation of several Moroccan artists.

World Sacred Music Fez Festival will also features a number of meetings held in the Batha Museum to discuss issues related to “the origin of the world: ‘big bang’ and divine explanations”, “the origin of man: creationism and evolutionism”, and “the contemporary issues about life and death, the sanctity of life”.