The city of Tétouan is set to host the 27th Tétouan International Oud Festival from October 29 to 31, 2026. The event is held under the theme "The Mediterranean, Cradle of Three Cultures", celebrating Tétouan's designation as a Mediterranean cultural capital for 2026. The festival is organized under royal patronage by the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, in partnership with the Tétouan province, regional council, and Tétouan municipality.
The festival's opening ceremony will feature Lebanese singer, composer, and oud player Marcel Khalifa, performing with Italian oud player Aurora Manfredi. This musical experience combines Mediterranean artistic expressions, highlighting the richness of cultural interaction. The event aims to promote Tétouan as a historical space for cultural convergence and dialogue between the two sides of the Mediterranean.
On October 30, the festival will feature a musical encounter between Moroccan oud player Tarek Benzia, Spanish pianist Jesús Pardo, and Moroccan musician Boujemaa Razqi, based in the United States. The performance will reflect the diversity of musical experiences and their openness to different artistic influences. The same evening will also feature the "Sahil" group, comprising Moroccan oud player Souhail Serghini and Spanish flamenco guitarist Miguel Fernandez.
The "Sahil" group will explore the intersection of Andalusian Arabic music and flamenco art, highlighting the historical and aesthetic connections between these styles. On October 31, Palestinian oud player and composer Nizar Rohana will present a musical performance, continuing the festival's celebration of the oud as a symbol of musical expression in the Arab and Mediterranean spaces.
The festival will culminate with a collective performance by the Moroccan Oud Orchestra, featuring 50 musicians representing all 12 regions of Morocco. This event honors the first anniversary of the Unity Day under the leadership of Moroccan artist Fahd Benkirane and coordination by researcher and artist Mohammed Amin El Dbi. The festival also includes a tribute to artists who have contributed to the development of oud playing in Morocco.
The tribute will honor musicians Souhail Serghini, Mohammed Ashraqi, and Khalid Najdi, recognizing their artistic paths and contributions to preserving and promoting this art form. In parallel with the musical performances, the festival will host a meeting with Marcel Khalifa, allowing the audience to engage with his artistic experience and creative journey.
An exhibition of Moroccan calligraphy, titled "Geometry of the Soul," will be opened by artists Abdessalam Flouh and Ahmed El Aboudi, combining music and visual arts. The 27th Tétouan International Oud Festival brings together artists from Morocco, Lebanon, Palestine, Italy, and Spain to establish the oud as a bridge between cultures and highlight the Mediterranean's historical and cultural depth.
Key points
- The festival celebrates Tétouan's designation as a Mediterranean cultural capital for 2026.
- The event features a diverse lineup of artists from Morocco and abroad.
- The festival promotes cultural exchange and understanding through music and art.
