Beneath the towering palms of Jnan Sbil Garden, the ancient poetic tradition of Malhoun took center stage Thursday night, as the Abdelkrim Kannon Association led a soulful performance during the third Sufi evening of the Fez Festival of Sacred Music.
A large crowd gathered, drawn into a serene atmosphere where poetry met spiritual reflection. For over an hour, the audience was immersed in the lyrical world of qasidas—verses that explore themes of divine love, inner transformation, and the power of language itself. The performance unfolded with a gentle intensity, anchored by traditional instruments like the bendir, qanun, and oud. Their restrained accompaniment gave space for the vocals to shine, allowing each word and note to resonate with clarity and emotion.
The evening featured some of the most cherished pieces from the Malhoun canon, including “At-Tawassoul,” “Allahumma Salli ‘Ala An-Nabi Bilqassam,” and “Anta Al-Aziz Ya Mohammed.” With Saïd Kannon lending his voice to the performance, each composition struck a chord with the audience, many of whom responded with heartfelt enthusiasm. His delivery captured not just the meaning of the words, but the soul of a centuries-old oral tradition.
More than just a musical performance, the night became a celebration of Malhoun itself—a form of sung poetry passed down through generations, now recognized by UNESCO as part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage. What echoed through the garden wasn’t only the sound of music, but the collective memory of a people, the introspection of Sufi thought, and the timeless beauty of poetic expression.
This concert was part of a larger festival lineup featuring more than 200 artists from 15 countries. Under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, the Fez Festival continues to uphold its reputation as a crossroads of global traditions. Embracing the city’s longstanding spirit of openness, this year’s edition invites reflection and exchange under the theme of “Renaissances”—an exploration of rebirth through music, spirituality, and cultural dialogue.
