Fez Festival of World Sacred Music

The Fez Festival of World Sacred Music is an annual event held over about 10 days each June in Fez, Morocco. It brings together artists from around the world to perform sacred music, host debates, and encourage dialogue between cultures and faiths.

• Held annually in Fez, Morocco since 1994
• Features sacred music from artists worldwide
• Includes concerts, debates, and joint performances
• Founded to promote unity and dialogue between cultures
• Past performers include Patti Smith and Ravi Shankar

What it is

The Fez Festival of World Sacred Music is a gathering that celebrates the spiritual and artistic traditions of many cultures through music. Set in the historic city of Fez, the festival features concerts and discussions that explore the role of sacred music in society. It is a space where Muslim and Christian devotional music, among others, are performed side by side, reflecting the festival’s aim to foster understanding and highlight the diverse facets of Islam and other spiritual traditions. The event is seen as a bridge between cultures, inviting both locals and visitors to experience the universal language of music.

Where it comes from

Founded in 1994 by Faouzi Skali, a philanthropist and president of the Spirit of Fez Foundation, the festival was inspired by Andalusian principles of unity and coexistence. Skali envisioned the event as a means to promote spiritual and humanitarian values, using music to connect people across racial and religious divides. Over the years, the festival has grown in reputation, attracting renowned artists from around the globe and becoming a symbol of dialogue and cultural exchange. The festival was paused in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

How it is celebrated

During the festival, Fez comes alive with performances by musicians from a wide range of spiritual traditions. Concerts are held in historic venues, with artists presenting sacred music that spans continents and faiths. Alongside music, the program includes debates and discussions where scholars, artists, and writers explore themes at the intersection of spirituality, society, and art. Audiences may hear Muslim Sufi chants, Christian hymns, and other devotional forms in joint performances, reflecting the festival’s commitment to dialogue and mutual understanding. The atmosphere is contemplative yet vibrant, inviting reflection as well as celebration.

Joining in

Visitors to the festival can expect to experience Fez at its most welcoming and cosmopolitan. Main events are held in the city’s historic sites, offering a unique setting for music and conversation. Tickets are available for individual concerts or for the full program, and the festival’s open spirit makes it accessible to newcomers. Attendees should be prepared for a thoughtful, international atmosphere, with opportunities to listen, learn, and connect with people from many backgrounds.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Fez Festival of World Sacred Music, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Fez Festival of World Sacred Music on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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