Celebrating Cultural Heritage Through Music
On the evening of July 6, 2026, the 55th edition of the National Festival of Popular Arts concluded in the historic Badi Palace in Marrakech, marking a significant cultural event in Morocco. The festival, which showcased the rich tapestry of Moroccan artistic heritage, featured a memorable performance by the renowned artist Zina Daoudia during the "Stars Night" segment, drawing a large, enthusiastic crowd that engaged with the diverse performances throughout the night.
The closing evening served as an opportunity to celebrate Daoudia's artistic journey. The singer captivated the audience with a selection of her most beloved songs, intertwining traditional Aita music with her unique style. Her performance was further enhanced by her skillful violin playing, creating a harmonious blend of singing and musicianship that resonated deeply with the audience amidst an atmosphere of festive lights and artistic direction.
Mohamed Khnidri, the president of the High Atlas Association, which organized the festival, highlighted the impressive turnout this year, emphasizing the festival's role in showcasing the richness of Moroccan cultural heritage while embracing African and international artistic influences. He noted that honoring Zina Daoudia was a recognition of her contributions to modernizing popular music while maintaining a strong connection to its traditional roots.
In response to the tribute, Zina Daoudia expressed her pride in receiving such recognition, particularly as it was linked to a festival dedicated to Moroccan folk arts and its pioneers. She remarked that performing at the prestigious Badi Palace before a large audience was a significant milestone in her artistic career.
Festival attendees praised the artistic quality of this year's program, asserting that the closing night aptly crowned a rich agenda filled with traditional and musical performances held in some of Marrakech's most iconic historical venues. This edition of the National Festival of Popular Arts, themed "Folk Arts: Treasures of Yesterday and Today," was organized by the High Atlas Association in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, supported by several local institutions. It celebrated the diversity of Moroccan heritage through a variety of performances, including Ahidous, Marrakech's Daqa, Aita, Abidat Rma, Gnawa, Rqada, Tabl, Aissaoua, and Kaddara, alongside artistic contributions from Africa and China, all aimed at enhancing the visibility of Morocco's intangible heritage both nationally and internationally.
As reported by africa4press.com.
