27th World Sacred Music Festival: Star Sami Yusuf ignites the audience in Fez
Hibapress / MAP
A memorable concert was hosted, Saturday evening in Fez as part of the 27th edition of the World Sacred Music Festival, by the star Sami Yusuf, who enchanted the audience with a range of the best songs drawing on a spiritual depth which married the magic of Bab Al Makina.
The incomparable international star, for an evening, bewitched festival-goers from several Moroccan cities and other countries, with a distinguished artistic show where spiritual depth mingled with the sweetness of melodies with beauty and splendor. of the voice.
Participating for the third time in the festival, Sami Yusuf, who had been presented by “Time Magazine” as “the biggest musical star in the Muslim world”, offered, on the open air stage of Bab Al Makina, an anthology of pieces and immortal songs, including new compositions never before performed, notably “Ya Zaman Al-Wasl” and others drawn from world heritage, in particular that of Andalusia.
During this colorful show, which lasted about an hour and a half, and which included voices in different languages (Arabic, Spanish, Amazigh, etc.), the audience was also able to enjoy songs from Sami Yusuf’s rich repertoire. (Ilahana ma aadalak, Madad…), as well as extracts from Moroccan heritage including the famous traditional Andalusian Arabic mowachah “Lama bada yatathana” and the Sufi poem “Fiyachiya”.
Sami Yusuf was accompanied in his show by musicians and singers from different countries, including the brilliant Moroccan artist Nabila Maan, the singer Ismail Boujia and the composer and musician Tariq Hilal. The public was also able to discover new compositions created with incredible flamenco musicians.
In a statement to the press on this occasion, international star Sami Yusuf said he was “proud” to perform again in Morocco in general and in the spiritual city of the Kingdom in particular, expressing his admiration for the receptive audience who came in large numbers. attend his show.
The artist added that the group that accompanied him included well-known musicians from many countries with whom he had never sung, also praising the artistic talents of this group.
For his part, Moroccan singer Ismail Boujia indicated that the artistic concert was distinguished by the fact that it combined authentic Moroccan heritage and Andalusian heritage, with the participation of a Spanish singer from Seville, from the group “Chamayel Mohammadia ” and other artists and musicians.
Sami Yusuf has been described as a “megastar” by the BBC, which ranks him among the 30 most famous British personalities.
The figures confirm it: more than 45 million albums sold, more than a billion downloads, sold-out concerts at Wembley Arena, the Royal Albert Hall and an audience of more than 250,000 people during a show in open air at Taksim Square in Istanbul, making it one of the largest concert gatherings ever.
Also a composer, he is considered one of the most influential musicians of our time in the category of World Music. Trained from an early age in Western and Middle Eastern classical music, his impressive body of work reflects his mastery of multiple musics and languages.
Sami Yusuf’s strength lies in his ability to evolve with fluidity and authenticity among diverse genres such as qawwali, very popular in India and Pakistan, Sufi music from the Middle East, Persian and Western classical music and even flamenco.
Placed under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Festival is being held from May 24 to June 1 under the theme “The Quest for the Spirit of Al-Andalus”.
During this new edition, Spain was chosen as guest of honor to celebrate the historical and present ties that unite Spain and Morocco.
Thus, the 27th edition of this festival, a privileged moment of the spirit of living together, dialogue and tolerance, is marked by a musical program bringing together several artists and troupes from the two countries who will express this dimension through their fusions and their shows. particular of openness, harmony and living together for a better future.
This unmissable event, which is now one of the largest cultural events in the world, also includes the participation of artists representing several countries.
These include, among others, the singer of Syrian origin Naïssam Jalal, Nedyalko Nedyalkov Quartet (Bulgaria), Khadija El Afrit (Tunisia), Walid Benselim, Young Musicians European orchestra, and Madalena (female choir), besides the nights Sufis.
