The 26th edition of the International Oud Festival opened on Thursday, May 29, at the Spanish Theater of Tétouan.
The opening ceremony of this event, organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication in partnership with the Province of Tétouan, was marked by a tribute to the Tetouani artist Tariq Banzi, maestro Salah Morsli Cherkaoui, and artist Larbi Akrim, in recognition of their contributions to the preservation of Moroccan musical heritage.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of the Ziryab Award 2025 to Moroccan oud player Abdelhak Tikerouine, by the National Music Committee—member of the International Music Council of UNESCO—in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication.
This edition comes in a special context, marked by the designation of Tétouan as the Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue for 2026.
In a speech read on behalf of the ministry, the Provincial Director of Culture in Tétouan, Larbi El Mesbahi, stated that after a quarter-century of artistic influence, the festival has become a key event in the cultural calendar of Tétouan, a creative and cultural hub.
This 26th edition returns with a clear vision aligned with the ministry’s strategy of preserving Moroccan heritage and enhancing its influence across the continent and internationally, he added. This ambition is reflected in the festival’s focus on promoting the oud and strengthening its presence in international music schools.
Held under the theme “Lights of Tolerance”, this year’s edition highlights the Moroccan-Iberian musical heritage with its three cultural components, as well as Oriental music, while also opening up to musical traditions from the Gulf countries and China, he noted.
For his part, the Director of Arts at the ministry, Hicham Abqari, emphasized that this edition continues the legacy of Moroccan festivals, particularly those held in Tétouan—a city known for hosting numerous major cultural events and festivals.
This festival, he continued, is an important artistic and musical event that celebrates and showcases Moroccan musical talent.
It is worth noting that this year’s festival will take place in various cultural venues, and its activities will also be broadcast on a screen installed at Moulay El Mehdi Square. The program includes shows, musical performances, and artistic experiences featuring artists from Australia, Egypt, Bahrain, China, Sudan, Turkey, Spain, Syria, and Morocco.
The event will feature unique artistic performances, a masterclass on the Chinese oud (Pipa) and the Moroccan-Andalusian oud, and poetry readings at Dar El Ghazouani, in coordination with the House of Poetry of Tétouan.
The program also includes meetings with the artists of this edition in Tétouan’s medina, reflecting the city’s authenticity and reaffirming its role as a center of cultural influence, coexistence, and creativity.
Source : Maroc.ma
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