The second edition of the “Andalusian Mediterranean” Festival concluded on Saturday, 29 August, after three days of festivities celebrating the rich historical and cultural heritage of Tétouan, the “White Dove,” and its surrounding region.

As planned, the closing day was marked by a grand parade bringing together local folklore groups, participating artists, as well as residents and supporters of the festival. To the delight of both residents and visitors, “the festival is not limited to indoor activities; it extends into the neighborhoods, alleyways, squares and open spaces of the medina,” explained Hafida Sedraoui, President of the Abdelkader Sedraoui Foundation, which initiated the festival.

She noted that, as part of the celebrations marking Tétouan’s designation as the Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2026, the event reflects a broader approach aimed at connecting cultural initiatives with the urban environment, making the city itself an integral part of the artistic experience rather than merely a venue for hosting events.

Dressed in traditional attire and accompanied by songs drawn from Tétouan’s and the region’s historic musical repertoire, participants followed a route passing through some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The parade showcased the richness of the region’s traditional dress heritage, including the renowned Haïk and Cheda, which continue to be worn by women and young girls from Tétouan and other communities across the province.

Launched on Thursday, 27 August, the second edition of the festival was organized in partnership with the Municipality of Tétouan, the Prefecture of Tétouan Province, and the Agency for the Promotion and Development of the Northern Provinces (APDN). It aimed to highlight the Andalusian heritage of the “White Dove” while further strengthening the city’s cultural presence and influence across the Mediterranean.

The festival opened with a conference bringing together academics, researchers and experts on Tétouan’s history around the theme, “The Values of Coexistence in the City of Tétouan.”

The second day featured a major musical evening with performances by Tétouan’s Mohamed Larbi Temsamani Ensemble and the Hadra of Chefchaouen, led respectively by Mohamed El Amine El Akrami and Rhoum El Bakkali. Together, the two ensembles delivered a remarkable performance in perfect harmony, blending the grandeur of Andalusian music with the spiritual depth of the Hadra of Chefchaouen, in keeping with the festival’s core objective.

In addition to the musical evenings, the programme of this second edition included a conference on the history of Tétouan as a city of cultural coexistence and dialogue, as well as the opening of “Touches of Tétouan,” an exhibition by painter Said Habicha.

In line with its objective of highlighting Tétouan’s authentic cultural and architectural heritage, this second edition also gave rise to a number of ambitious initiatives and projects aimed at beautifying and rehabilitating heritage sites both within and beyond the city’s historic walls.