The 19th Tan-Tan Moussem festival kicked off on October 30th and will run until November 3rd, celebrating Morocco's Unity Day. The event, held under the patronage of King Mohammed VI, is organized by the Almouggar Foundation. This year's theme is "Moussem de Tan-Tan: Human Heritage and Cultural Exchange Bridge." The festival showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Saharo-Hassani region.
The festival features a diverse range of musical performances, including traditional Hassani, modern, and popular music. The event will take place across two main sites: the Tan-Tan stage and the El Ouatia stage. These stages will host nightly concerts, combining different musical styles to offer a unique festive experience for visitors and locals alike.
The festival began with a religious ceremony at the Zaouïa of Sheikh Mohammed Laghdaf Ben Cheikh Mae-El Ainin. This was followed by the screening of the film "My Friend" at the cultural center, in partnership with the Agence du Sud. The opening of various pavilions, including the Agence du Sud tent, thematic tents, and pavilions from the United Arab Emirates and handicrafts, also took place.
On Saturday, a meeting was organized to celebrate Unity Day, bringing together official guests, tribal notables, and national and foreign delegations. The event featured scenic performances highlighting the richness of Hassani heritage and the federating values of this national holiday. The festival will continue with grand demonstrations and a patrimonial carnival on November 1st and 2nd.
In addition to the cultural and festive program, the Moussem will host a colloquium on the links between culture, economy, and sustainable development. This will provide a platform for reflection on the challenges of heritage and development dynamics in the southern provinces. The festival will also feature a range of musical performances by artists such as Hatim Ammor, Hatim Idar, and Moughit.
This edition of the festival shines a light on Morocco's rich cultural heritage and its transmission from one generation to the next. Sanae Jeddoubi, the first and youngest female leader of an Ahidous troupe, will be performing, paying tribute to female excellence in preserving popular arts and intangible heritage. The festival will also feature a special Arab participation, including performances by Fadel Mazroui from the United Arab Emirates.
The Almouggar Foundation, created in 2014, is responsible for preserving the Moussem and promoting its cultural components. The foundation prioritizes the transmission of heritage from one generation to the next, ensuring the preservation of traditions, oral expressions, poetry, music, and handicrafts. The Tan-Tan Moussem was recognized by UNESCO in 2005 as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity and inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.
Key points
- The 19th Tan-Tan Moussem festival celebrates Morocco's Unity Day with a mix of traditional and modern performances.
- The event features a diverse range of musical performances and cultural activities.
- The festival promotes the preservation of Morocco's cultural heritage and its transmission from one generation to the next.
