Popular Arts Festival to hit the streets of Marrakech
The Popular Arts Festival will soon hit the streets of Marrakech
Tuesday, 25, May 2010 01:21
Visitors to Marrakech from July 16th - 24th will see the city come alive as the sounds, rhythms and colours of Morocco come together at the 45th annual Marrakech Popular Arts Festival.
Combining modern entertainment with ancient folkdances, traditional Berber musicians and Chaabi rhythms, the festival celebrates the country's musical and cultural heritage over a nine day period.
Three main venues will play host to this year's event: Bab Ighli, Akioud and Hart Palace (beside Palais Badii) and Theatre Royal - under the theme 'Mosaic of Musical Heritage'.
The festival kicks off on July 16th with a parade along Mohamed V Boulevard, with over 500 artists singing and dancing in the street.
On the 17th, 21 traditional troupes, representing different regions of Morocco, will take part in the festival's official opening at the Palais Badii, directed by Moroccan director Abdessamad Dinia. The troupes will represent a number of regions of Morocco, including Ait Boughmaz, Hassada, Rokba and Taskiouine.
Traditional Aita folk music from different regions across Morocco will be played between the 17th and 19th at the Theatre Royal, with artists representing different styles of Aita.
Over five days, starting on the 18th, the Akioud stage will vibrate to the rhythms of the Chaabi (popular music) with well known orchestras such as Tahour. The El Harti Stage will have pop music by a new generation of Moroccan artists including Mwansa.
Between July 20th - 24th, the big stage of Bab Ighli will play host to famous Moroccan singers such as Abdelhadi Belkhayat.
Visit the Marrakech City Tourism website for more details.
travelbite.co.uk staff
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