Safi hosts 24th National Aïta Festival celebrating Morocco’s musical heritage

The National Aïta Festival opened its 24th edition on Wednesday evening in Safi with musical performances and tributes to leading figures representing the different schools of Moroccan Aïta. Artists, cultural stakeholders and enthusiasts from across Morocco attended the opening of the festival, which runs until July 25 under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI.

The National Aïta Festival aims to promote Aïta as an essential expression of Morocco’s diverse cultural identity while strengthening its place in the country’s cultural landscape. Organizers describe the traditional musical genre as a key component of the nation’s collective artistic memory and an important element of its intangible cultural heritage.

The opening ceremony was attended by Safi Province Secretary General Abdelilah Hadfi. Performances by young artist Siham Elmesfiouia and singer Ayoub Al Abdi were followed by tribute ceremonies honoring prominent Aïta figures Mahjoub Al Fatimi, Saïda Azkida, Mohammed Zouini and Zahra Mournane for their contributions to preserving the tradition.

Asmae Louqmani, Regional Director of Culture for Marrakech-Safi, said preserving national heritage and collective memory remains a central objective of cultural events organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication and its regional offices. She said the ministry’s strategy focuses on safeguarding and promoting Morocco’s cultural heritage while highlighting the richness and diversity of the Kingdom’s civilizational legacy.

Louqmani added that the Safi festival has recorded significant progress in recent years in terms of preparation, organization and programming. She attributed this development to the continued support of institutional partners and the growing involvement of public institutions and economic stakeholders in making the annual event a success.

Provincial Director of Culture for Safi and Youssoufia Hassan El Habchi said this year’s edition brings together veteran Aïta performers with decades of artistic experience alongside emerging young talents. He said the initiative is designed to ensure the continuity of this traditional art form by passing its heritage to younger generations.

Following the opening ceremony, audiences gathered at the Karting stage, where Ould 700, Walid Rahmani and Mehdi Weld Hajib performed a concert featuring Rahmania, Abdia and Marsaouia styles of Aïta.

Festival visitors praised the organization of the event, saying it helps preserve Aïta as an authentic component of Moroccan cultural identity while encouraging its transmission to future generations.

Organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication through the Department of Culture, the festival is held in partnership with Safi Province and the Association of Friends of Thor Heyerdahl. It also receives support from the Provincial Council of Safi, the Municipal Council of Safi and OCP.

The program includes major evening concerts featuring renowned artists representing the different schools of Moroccan Aïta, with special attention given to local groups and performers specializing in Hasbaouia Aïta. The festival also features academic and educational activities, including a conference examining Aïta between authenticity and renewal, as well as a training workshop on adapting Aïta for theatrical performance led by specialized artists and educators.