Fez Festival of Sacred Music Celebrates Female Founders From Morocco

(MENAFN- Morocco World News) Women in traditional garb took center stage at Bab Makina in Fes to kick off the 22nd annual Fez Festival Of World Sacred Music. This year's focus is on female founders from Morocco and around the world.

'This year we are embarking on a journey to a world made sacred by the intelligence and grace of the women of our ancestral heritage. From a far-flung Orient these brave women were poets and musicians who held the jewels of knowledge' the Fondation Esprit de Fes said in a statement.

Performers from China Lebanon Azerbaijan Iran Ethiopia Palestine Mongolia and Italy accompanied Moroccan performers under the lights of Bab Makina for the international premier event:A Sky Full of Stars.

Traditional sounds from around the globe echoed through the walls of this ancient weapons factory where hundreds turned out despite the rain. The performances brought cultures from different corners of the world together under one note united by sound and rhythm.

Lina Zouitene who participated in the introduction of the show said she was amazed by the opening night.'It was very colorful a lot of different countries mixing together in one single show. I enjoyed the effects of the lights even with the rain it was kind of surreal' she said.

Each performance showcased the unique yet diverse talents of female leads from across the globe. The Fez Festival Of World Sacred Music brings together groups from around the world to share and celebrate in one another's culture in the heart of Fez the spiritual capital of Morocco.

Elise Jackson who is visiting Fez from London said she was thrilled by the evening's performances.

'I've been before and it's amazing. It's incredible. The fact that Morocco is doing it with this theme is awesome I'm really behind it' Jackson said.

'There were some amazing performances. In terms of the whole vibe and everything it was really cool' she said.

The nine-dayfestival will feature a variety of concerts and musical performances taking place at locations throughout the old medina of Fez.

The shows will all incorporate the 'female founders' theme which highlights the vital role of women in various cultures.

'It's an amazing theme especially because of all the cliches that we have about the Arabic world and people in Arab countries who are not supposed to understand the role of the woman. I discovered that the first university was actually founded by a woman in an Arabic country so that is really powerful as a theme' Zouitene said.

Morocco's own Princess Lalla Salma and Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned of Qatar were in attendance to initiate this year's festival which features a majority of all-female groups performances and dances.

The festival also includes a series of lectures and debates focused around the same theme. 'I'm looking forward to the forum because there are very interesting speakers coming from all around the world. It's a very interesting theme around again female founders and the role of the woman in society' Zouitene said.

'It's important all around the world not only here in Morocco but also in Europe and the U.S. There are still issues with gender equality. I'm looking forward to seeing all those amazing speakers' Zouitene added.

The 22nd annual Fez Festival Of World Sacred Music will run fromMay 6 – May 14at locations around Fes. Some events are free and open to the public while others require purchased tickets. For more information visithttp://www.fesfestival.com/

Center stage at Bab Makina in Fes to kick off the 22nd annual Fes Festival Of World Sacred Music. Photo by Salah Ghrissi