The city of Fes will host the 29th edition of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music from 4 to 7 June. The event is organised by the Foundation Esprit de Fès and will focus on the theme “Fes and the Mâalemines: Guardians of the Gesture and Heritage”.
This year’s programme will include more than 160 artists and 18 main performances over four days. In addition to evening concerts, there will also be morning sessions designed to make the experience more relaxed and personal.
The opening show will take place on 4 June at Bab Makina, with a performance called “Anima Ex Materia — From Heaven to Earth”, dedicated to craftsmanship. Bab Makina, a historic site near the royal palace, is the festival’s main venue.
A special performance titled “Bodies” will also mark 70 years of diplomatic ties between Morocco and Germany under the “Sabeinya” initiative. It will bring together German artist Kat Frankie and women’s groups from the High Atlas, Lebanon and India.
A new award called the “Breath of the Hand” prize will be launched this year to support young people working in traditional crafts.
“This edition is a strong recognition of the Mâalemines who keep our heritage alive,” said Abderrafie Zouiten, president of the Foundation Esprit de Fès.
The festival recently received the Mercurio Alato prize from Italy’s Foreign Ministry in 2025, in recognition of its work promoting cultural and interfaith exchange. This followed a joint Italian-Moroccan performance combining Baroque music by Claudio Monteverdi with Arabo-Andalusian music.
Who are the Mâalemines?
In Morocco, a Mâalem is a master craftsman who spends many years learning their trade, often starting as a child. It can take over a decade to reach full mastery.
Their work is behind many well-known Moroccan designs, including zellige tile patterns, carved wood and decorative plaster. In Fes, these craftsmen are also seen as carrying a deeper cultural meaning, with their designs reflecting balance and order.
A festival built on peace and music
The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music began in 1994, founded by Faouzi Skali. It was created after the Gulf War as a way to promote peace through music from different cultures and faiths.
Its main stage, Bab Makina, used to be a ceremonial military space. Today, it hosts music from many traditions, including Sufi chants, Christian hymns and Hindu devotional songs.
The festival continues to focus on bringing people together through culture and music.
More details are available at fesfestival.com.
