The Fez Festival of World Sacred Music is set to launch its 28th edition on Friday, May 16, with a spectacular opening show titled Renaissances: From Nature to the Sacred. This ambitious multidisciplinary production will unfold at the historic Bab Makina, blending live performances from dozens of artists with vibrant lighting designs and monumental video projections that will illuminate the iconic walls of the venue.
This year’s theme, focused on the concept of rebirth, celebrates Morocco’s unique ability to blend cultural, spiritual, and artistic renewal. Fez, home to the world’s oldest university, Al Quaraouiyine, stands as a living symbol of this ongoing dialogue between history and modernity. The festival’s program reflects this heritage while also drawing a parallel with Florence and the spirit of the 15th-century European Renaissance.
The opening night promises a rich tapestry of performances inspired by the cultural diversity and artistic energy of Africa. Audiences can expect the ritual Deba chants performed by the women of Mayotte, the ensemble Areej accompanied by Sufi chants from the Sultanate of Oman, the mesmerizing Zaouli dancers from Manfla, the towering stilt performers known as Les Echassiers, the Leopards of Ivory Coast, the poetic Kassaïdes from Senegal, and the legendary Drummers of Burundi. Adding to this eclectic lineup, the mystical Sama dance from Meknes will be performed alongside the storytelling of Malian actor Habib Dembelé. The evening will culminate with mezzo-soprano Battista Acquaviva’s stirring interpretations of sacred Italian Renaissance music.
For over 25 years, the Esprit de Fès Foundation has crafted experiences where global musical traditions meet cutting-edge visual technologies. This year’s opening night pays tribute to the human spirit’s boundless ability to reinvent itself in the face of the vastness of the world.
