Fez Festival of Sacred Music celebrates artisanal heritage

The 29th edition of the Fez Festival of Sacred Music took place in June 2026, focusing on the theme of artisanal heritage and the preservation of cultural traditions. The event centered on the concept of the ‘Mâalemines’—the guardians of movement and heritage—drawing parallels between the meticulous detail of master artisans and the repetitive, precise gestures of musicians and dancers.

The festival featured a diverse array of international performers across various venues in the Fez medina, including historical palaces and gardens. Notable participants included Pakistani singer Sanam Marvi, who explored Sufi spiritual heritage and the practice of Sama, and Sufi singer Sami Yusuf.

Other cultural highlights included performances by Chap Chamroeunmina, a star dancer from the Royal Khmer Ballet of Cambodia, and the Kanybekov brothers, who introduced the komuz, a long-necked lute from Central Asia. The opening creation, ‘Anima Ex Materia’, featured collaboration with Franco-Greek artist Dafné Kritharas.