The 18th National Hassanie Song Festival was inaugurated on November 4 in Dakhla, Morocco, bringing together musical formations from the three southern regions of the country. The festival, organized by the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Regional Directorate of Culture, is being held under the theme "Hassanie Song: Echo of the Past and Melody of the Present." The event is taking place at the Hassan II Square and will run until November 6, as part of the celebrations of Morocco's Unity Day and the 51st anniversary of the Green March.
The festival aims to contribute to the preservation of a deeply rooted artistic heritage in the history and traditions of Morocco's southern provinces. According to Mamoun El Boukhari, director of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Regional Directorate of Culture, the festival is a privileged meeting point to showcase the Hassanie musical and artistic heritage, which testifies to a historical, cultural, and civilizational richness. He also emphasized the links between this musical tradition and other components of Moroccan culture, highlighting its contribution to the diversity of the national heritage.
The festival pursues an objective of intergenerational transmission, aiming to familiarize young audiences with traditional rhythms, songs, and artistic expressions, to ensure their preservation and continuity. The event features a program dedicated to different Hassanie musical expressions, with the participation of musical troupes representing the three southern regions of Morocco. This offers a panorama of the diversity of Hassanie traditions and repertoires.
The valorization of Hassanie song is part of a broader approach to cultural and economic development of Morocco's southern provinces. Mamoun El Boukhari stressed the importance of strengthening cultural infrastructure and multiplying artistic events that can increase the visibility of this heritage, both nationally and internationally. These initiatives contribute to the promotion of regional cultural identity and participate in inscribing traditional artistic expressions in the dynamic of territorial development.
The festival's inaugural evening was marked by a succession of musical and artistic performances, allowing the public to discover different sounds and forms of expression from this ancestral heritage. The festivities will continue until November 6, with several evenings dedicated to Hassanie song, with the objective of consolidating the place of this heritage in the Moroccan cultural landscape and contributing to its radiance among new audiences.
The 18th National Hassanie Song Festival is being held under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI. The event is part of the celebrations of Morocco's Unity Day and the 51st anniversary of the Green March, which marks the country's commitment to its territorial integrity and cultural heritage. The festival's organization demonstrates Morocco's efforts to promote and preserve its cultural diversity and rich heritage.
The festival highlights the importance of culture as a lever for territorial development and promotion of regional identity. By showcasing Hassanie song and traditional artistic expressions, the event contributes to the preservation of Morocco's cultural heritage and its transmission to future generations.
Key points
- The 18th National Hassanie Song Festival is being held in Dakhla, Morocco, from November 4 to 6, 2026.
- The festival features musical troupes from the three southern regions of Morocco, showcasing the diversity of Hassanie traditions and repertoires.
- The event aims to contribute to the preservation and transmission of Hassanie song and traditional artistic expressions, as part of Morocco's cultural heritage.
