Ouarzazate: The National Ahwach Arts Festival returns for its 14th edition

Ouarzazate will host the 14th National Festival of Ahwach Arts from October 22 to 24, under the theme “Ahwach Arts and World Rhythms.

Held under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI, this edition is organized by the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication – Department of Culture, alongside the Prefecture of Ouarzazate Province. It will feature the participation of nearly one thousand artists representing the diverse expressions of Ahwach art.

As a platform for exchange among artists, researchers, and the public, this flagship event of the cultural scene in Ouarzazate and the Drâa-Tafilalet region remains true to its mission of celebrating the secular art of Ahwach. The organizers emphasize that it stands as one of the distinguished artistic expressions of Amazigh culture and an essential component of Morocco’s intangible cultural heritage. Boasting a rich and varied program that combines performances, seminars, training workshops, and masterclasses, the festival aims to highlight the artistic and aesthetic richness of Ahwach arts, which are characterized by a harmonious fusion of collective rhythm, dance, song, poetry, traditional costumes, and bodily expression.

According to the same source, this edition also aims to sustain efforts in preserving, promoting, and transmitting this cultural heritage to future generations. It achieves this by mobilizing artists, researchers, and enthusiasts of this art form, while creating spaces for dialogue, training, and the exchange of experiences.

By selecting a theme that blends Ahwach arts with world rhythms, the festival fosters openness toward various international musical experiences. It highlights the potential for local heritage to interact with artistic forms of expression from diverse horizons.

In recognition of their contribution to the preservation and promotion of Ahwach art, the festival will also pay tribute to several emblematic Ahwach figures from different regions of the Kingdom.

Beyond its artistic dimension, the Ahwach Arts Festival contributes to the promotion of the city of Ouarzazate, showcasing its cultural heritage and tourism potential. Consequently, iconic locations across the city are set to host the festival’s various activities, including the historic Kasbah of Taourirt, Al Mouahidine Square, and the tourist zone.

The festival is organized in partnership with the Ouarzazate Events Association, with support from the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT), the Drâa-Tafilalet Regional Council, the Ouarzazate Provincial Council, and the Ouarzazate Municipal Council