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Paco de Lucía, Björk, Patti Smith, Tomatito or Carlos Núñez are among the artists who have graced Espiritu de Fez with their performances.
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In this edition, the program centers on the theme of architecture.
Since 2019, the annual cultural gathering has stood as a bridge linking Morocco and Spain. Known as the Spirit of Fez, it celebrates the city within the Alaouite kingdom and hosts the festival each spring. After weathering the toughest moments of the pandemic, the spirit returns with renewed momentum. The festival began in Madrid, while previous launches kicked off in Barcelona, a city closely tied to the organizing partners. The inaugural celebration opened at Puerta del Hierro, in the courtyard of the Moroccan Ambassador to Spain Karima Benyaich’s residence.
The Sacred Music Festival remains a highlight of the year in Morocco. Founded in 1994 by Mohammed Kabbaj and Faouzi Skali, its mission has been to bring together a representative cross-section of world sacred music, drawing on communities with historic ties to Morocco and inviting voices from multiple continents to share one stage.
Paco de Lucía
Spanish performers have long been a feature of the Sacred Music Festival, with renowned figures lighting up stages in Fez. Paco de Lucía, Jose Merce, Jordi Savall, and Carlos Núñez have represented Spain, while international icons such as Björk and Patti Smith have underscored the festival’s broad appeal. The current edition, held in Fez from June 9 to 12, introduces a Spanish company that adds a non-musical element to the program. A Barcelona-based vertical dance troupe will open the ceremony in Bab El Makina, serving as a centerpiece for the four major venues activated for the event.
The program will showcase ensembles from more than 15 countries, highlighting musicians from across the globe. Performers hail from Oman, Kazakhstan, India, France, Italy, Senegal, and even Tibet. The core theme of this year is architecture, emphasizing how music and built environments intersect to express sacred longing. While the festival remains rooted in music, the schedule becomes a focused study of a shared element that unites participating nations each year.
The last major focus in 2019 was water. This year, the spotlight shifts to buildings. Fez, famed for its vast and ancient medina, is a city steeped in history and a major tourist magnet. The festival embraces this architectural heritage as a lens to explore spiritual search across cultures.
“From Gothic cathedrals to Hebrew synagogues and from the pristine marble of ancient mosques to sacred spaces across regions, the event examines how people of diverse faiths express their devotion through architecture. The discovery of emblematic religious structures will guide a dialogue between humanity and the divine,” organizers explain.
Atlético Madrid
The May 19 presentation ceremony gathered notable figures, including Minister Ana Pastor and Atlético de Madrid president Enrique Cerezo. The festival’s president shared a lighthearted anecdote about a conversation with Florentino Pérez, recalling a family preference for the other club while a son expressed his Atlético allegiance, drawing laughter from the room.
At the Moroccan ambassador’s residence, a Cádiz-born singer, Jesús Méndez, performed with a flamenco troupe, mingling with a Fez-born Moroccan folk artist, Marouane, highlighting cross-cultural collaboration. The organizers acknowledged the cultural challenges endured during the pandemic and the uncertainties it created for the festival’s continuity. Yet, Morocco chose to persevere, strengthening emotional ties between Spain and its southern neighbor.
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