Meknes to host new edition of Aissawa Festival with international artists

Meknes to host new edition of Aissawa Festival with international artists
Monday 13 July 2026 - 20:14

The city of Meknes is set to host a new edition of the “Aissawa: Modes and World Rhythms” festival from July 22 to 25, bringing together Moroccan and international artists to celebrate one of the kingdom’s oldest Sufi musical traditions.

Organizers say this year’s edition aims to reinforce the festival’s status as a major cultural event while preserving Meknes’ spiritual heritage and embracing contemporary musical influences. The festival seeks to transform Aissawa traditions into a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries.

The program will unfold across 10 themes and venues throughout the city, featuring concerts, intellectual discussions and heritage activities designed to showcase Meknes’ historic landmarks and cultural richness while boosting local tourism.

More than 55 Aissawa troupes, represented by over 1,000 masters, or m’allems and moqaddams, are expected to take part in the event. The groups will perform traditional Sufi nights intended to introduce audiences to the deep-rooted spiritual heritage of the Aissawa brotherhood.

The festival’s flagship concerts will be held at the historic Bab Mansour square. Lebanese singer Wael Jassar is scheduled to perform on July 24, while Moroccan artist Asmae Lmnawar will close the event with a performance blending classical and contemporary hits.

The lineup also includes several Moroccan artists, including Dounia Batma, Ibtissam Tiskat, Zouhair Bahaoui, Zakaria Ghafouli and composer Bouchart, whose performances will fuse Moroccan and Arab musical styles.

By combining intangible cultural heritage with performances by leading regional artists, the festival continues to strengthen its position among Morocco’s major cultural events while promoting Meknes as a destination for music and heritage enthusiasts.

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