27/04/2023
The 6th edition of the Marrakech Gnaoua Show Festival will take place from May 3 to 6. This is taking place ahead of the the Gnaoua World Festival, occurring in June. The 6th edition will put a particular emphasis on young artists performing alongside the master’s.
Gnaoua is part of Morocco’s multifaceted culture and identity. It is deeply rooted in the country's African and Islamic heritage. In 2019, Gnaoui art was classified by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which highlights its’ imperative nature to Morocco.
Gnaoua music is characterized by the use of traditional handmade instruments such as the krakebs (metal castanets) and the guembri (a three-stringed bass instrument), as well as singing and chanting in a mix of Arabic, Amazigh, and African languages. However, Gnawa music has also gained popularity over the years and has been incorporated into modern fusion styles, blending with other genres such as jazz, blues, and rock.
The festival aims to better situate Gnaoui art on the national and international levels, whilst highlighting the cultural as well as artistic diversity that characterises Morocco.