Latest news with #DakkaMarrakchia
Morocco World
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
FNAP 2025: A Second Night of Song, Story, and Shared Roots
Marrakech – Day 2 of the 54th Festival National des Arts Populaires picked up where the night before left off, but this time, the celebration split into two parallel beats. At Place El Guerguerate Hay Massira, a new stage welcomed an equally electrified crowd. From the soothing rhythms of Gnaoua to the spiritual chants of Dakka Marrakchia, the energy of Reggada, and the vibrant fusion of the Afro dance group, the atmosphere turned Marrakech streets into a sacred space. The lineup flowed from genre to genre, each rooted in tradition, yet interpreted for today's Morocco. The performers embodied stories, terrains, and spirits of their homes through their music. Meanwhile, back at Palais El Badi, the day one performer returned to the historic stage, but this time, to an even fuller house. Every seat was taken. The rest stood, sang, danced, and clapped along, refusing to be just an audience. 'There was no space to sit,' one guest told Morocco World News, 'This event pushes us to learn about our culture, our history, our regions, and why we do what we do.' Heritage is something to live, pass on, and reinvent And that's where the spirit of FNAP lies. Now in its 54th edition, the festival remains true to its mission: honoring Morocco's 'Patrimoines immatériels en mouvement,' its intangible cultural heritage in motion. Whether it's the elegance of Ahidous music, the poetic energy of Ahouach, or the acrobatic storytelling of the Oulad Sidi Hmad ou Moussa group, each performance reminds us that heritage is not something to archive. It's something to live, pass on, and reinvent. Among the many voices echoing through the festival was that of iconic Moroccan singer Khadija El Warzaziya, who told Morocco World News (MWN), 'FNAP 2025 is amazing, too beautiful, too perfect.' Then, laughing, she added: 'Nadi Canadi.' The second night was more than a repetition of the first. It was a reaffirmation. In a world that too often rushes forward without looking back, FNAP 2025 reminds us that culture is not static. It's rhythm. It's memory. It's joy shared in art. And in Marrakech this week, it's contagious. Tags: FNAPFNAP 2025heritageMoroccoMorocco Music
Morocco World
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
CasaNola 2025: Jazz, Joy, and Cultural Harmony under Casablanca's Stars
Casablanca – Casablanca, Morocco's economic capital, swayed to the rhythm and soul of New Orleans last weekend, thanks to CasaNola. The three-night event celebrated jazz and its culture and lit up Bouskoura's Automobile Club du Maroc with an astonishing fusion of Moroccan heritage and New Orleans groove, the birthplace of jazz. From June 12 -14, the festival brought together music legends from both sides of the Atlantic, offering a cultural bridge between the Mississippi and the Maghreb. As the final note faded and the crowd rose in applause, it was clear that jazz and Moroccan music are not separate genres, but shared language rooted in rhythm, spirit, and storytelling. This celebration left behind echoes of brass, trumpet, karakeb (metal castanets), and nay (bamboo flute). When asked about the connection and cohesion felt between Jazz and Moroccan music and culture, Kaleb Summers told Morocco World News (MWN) that this 'stems in the rhythm 100% that's all I can say, it's in the rhythm. When I was walking with the Gnaoua musicians, my first thought was, it felt like New Orleans sped up a little bit.' In its debut edition, the festival didn't just bring music, it brought people together, people from all cultures and backgrounds. Strangers became friends in minutes, dancing, laughing, and singing shoulder to shoulder under Casablanca stars. From artists to entrepreneurs to students and expats, the crowd was a melting pot of cultures united through music and soul. Even outsiders felt at home, greeted with warm smiles, dancing without thought as the energy was incredible and unforgettable from the artists, organizers, and most importantly, the crowd. Moroccan virtuoso Adil Charfi played a solo that danced over the brass and shuffles of James Andrews and the Crescent City All Stars, while Mahmoud Chouki poured Maghreb soul into smooth, groovy, jazzy rhythms. You could taste both cultures in those two hours, distinct yet perfectly blended, working in harmony to create what seemed to be a conversation between the Maghreb and New Orleans. Artists from both sides of the Atlantic jammed together like lifelong friends, dancing, laughing, and improvising with childlike joy. No egos, no show-stealing, just musicians lifting each other up, passing the spotlight like a gift. It was a masterclass in cultural exchange, a moving symphony of shared energy, and a celebration of connection through sound. In an interesting take, Si Adil Absi, President of FolkArt Group, told MWN: ' Our goal through this performance was to showcase Moroccan heritage and contribute to the growth of our folklore. We wanted to show that our music can thrive in different settings and merge seamlessly with other musical genres.' He added, 'We've noticed that Gnaoua often takes the spotlight when it comes to fusion with international music, so we thought, why not take this opportunity to fuse Dakka Marrakchia with jazz?' Away from the music, the venue itself was one straight out of a James Bond movie. Vintage cars lined up all over the scenery, and everything from food to drinks seamlessly paid for with a quick and sleek, and cashless festival bracelet. Immaculately clean and gorgeously lit, the space mirrored the beauty of jazz and professionalism of the event.
