True to its founding principles, the Casablanca festival celebrated music from the Machreq and the Maghreb in a spirit of tolerance and diversity.
The Casablanca Festival came back after a two-year hiatus. Organisers, including city officials, were determined to bring the popular Moroccan event back from oblivion.
Efforts were made to ensure a lasting future for the 2-day event, “now restored to its former glory”, Mayor Mohamed Sajid said. The festival closed Monday (August 25th) after drawing big crowds.
“The re-launch was a huge challenge, but we managed to pull it off, thanks to help from all Casablancans. After all, it is their festival,” the mayor added.
The festival has remained true to its founding principles, namely promoting the cultural values of sharing and diversity, organising committee member Mouna Yaâcoubi told Magharebia.
“With its guiding theme of greater unity and musical and artistic cross-fertilisation between the Maghreb and the Machreq, this year’s event has been led by a range of local and Arab artists,” she added.
Organisers invited a wealth of Arab and Moroccan artists, including Elissa, Najwa Karam, Fares Karam, Melhem Zein, Najat Atabou, Saâd Lemjerad, Asmaa Lamnawar, Stati Abdelaziz and rapper Don Bigg.
Roula Saâd, who travelled from Lebanon, saw her involvement as a symbol of sharing and exchange between the East and the Maghreb.
Fellow Lebanese performer Najwa Karam shared that view: “I am honoured to be a part of a festival which feeds into the principles of tolerance and openness towards other cultures.”
Young Moroccan performer Saâd Lamjarred talked of his great joy at appearing alongside some of the biggest names in Moroccan and Arab song.
Well-known popular singer Abdelaziz Stati thanked the Moroccan public for their support of the festival.
“This is a young audience, but they are mature and very demanding in terms of musical quality,” Stati said.
In all, no fewer than twenty five artists took turns to appear on the three stages at Ben M’sick, Sidi Bernoussi and El Hank.
The Bidawi audience turned out in great numbers to share some moments of pure joy over the three days.
“I’m really happy, and I want to thank the organisers, who have managed to bring us some real Arab music superstars this year, particularly Najwa Karam and Elissa,” said communications student Aziza Ouannas, a fan of Lebanese song.
Her two friends, Lamia Nadiri and Salima El Malki think this year’s festival will have had something for everyone by including artists from both the East and the Maghreb.
“We couldn’t wait to go to the concerts by Mouskir, Stati and Merouan Khouri this weekend,” they said.
Hamza Erraiji, a school pupil in Casablanca, went along with his friends: “I’m a fan of popular song, and I’m here with my friends to attend Najat Aâtabou’s concert.”
By way of a closing ceremony, the festival held a concert featuring the rising star of Arab music, Palestinian singer Mohamad Assaf, winner of the 2013 “Arab Idol”.
“The festival’s return is a reaffirmation of the identity of a city going through immense change, a melting-pot trying to forge a new cultural identity for itself,” the organisers stated.
Arts & Entertainment 2013-08-27
Casablanca festival draws large crowds
By Hassan Benmehdi in Casablanca for Magharebia – 27/08/2013
