Essence of time...
Spirit of place...
These interconnecting themes are the heartbeat of the 13 th Fes Festival of World Sacred Music.
2007 marks the 800 th anniversary of the birth of the great Islamic sage, poet and spiritual guide Jallaludin Rumi. The wisdom, insight and beauty of Rumi’s heritage are celebrated in concerts and ritual throughout the festival programme. His vision charges the essence of our times. It is as relevant today as it was in the 13 th century, because Rumi teaches universal love and community.
The spirit of Morocco’s ancient holy city of Fes inspired the creation of the Sacred Music Festival. It is now recognised as one of the world’s great musical events, with visitors converging on the city from all over the globe for the festival week. They come for intimate performances that take place under a great Barbary oak in the gardens of the Batha Museum – and for big events staged with Arabian Nights splendour in the Bab Makina palace courtyard.
Alongside the music festival, The Fes Encounters brings together politicians, academics and social activists to discuss the urgent issues of our times. These include conflict resolution, climate change, urban renewal, social justice and much more. This year’s focus is on cultural diversity versus globalisation – and the relationship between faith and reason.
The 2007 music programme is the brainchild of Cherif Khaznadar, who is arguably the most influential Artistic Director on the World Music scene. It includes a spectacular innovation – a performance by the equestrian maestro Bartabas and his white stallion Le Caravage, which will take place at dawn in the Merinides quarry, accompanied by the celebrated Sufi musicians Kudsi Erguner and Nezih Uzel.The great singer from Benin, Angelique Kidjo will perform African songs of love and hope, Turkish Sufi brotherhoods will pay homage to Jallaladin Rumi with dhikr, sama’a and calls of the muezzin and the hugely popular Johnny Clegg from South Africa seems certain to be a hit with his stylish brand of Afro-Rock. Other highlights include the singers Parissa and Aicha Mint Chighaly.
Free events include the enormously popular Sufi Nights by Moroccan Sufi brotherhoods – and the Festival in the City staged throughout the festival week at two venues.
The Fes Festival is a unique experience that combines high art, popular entertainment, spiritual energy and intellectual challenges. It resonates with the essence of our times and is rooted in The Spirit of Fes – which is the name of the Foundation that organises the festival.