Gnaoua Festival
When the city becomes a stage
Where the world’s best musicians from genres such as Gnaoua, jazz, Flamenco and reggae, Cuba, Tuareg and Tamil get together! North Africa’s mega party! What makes the Gnaoua Festival so special: Whether on the beach, at the Place Moulay Hassan or the winding alleys of the Medina – the concerts, jamming sessions and parades take place at the city’s most beautiful spots and are open to visitors free of charge. However, there is also a festival pass with reserved VIP places available for the most popular events. For the four days of the Gnaoua Festival, the whole of Essaouira turns into one big party that has come straight out of 1001 nights.
A FEAST FOR ALL THE SENSES
The Gnaoua Festival enthrals audiences time and time again and has made a name for itself as a groundbreaking, authentic festival that succeeds in linking tunes and rhythms from all over the world with the enchanting sounds of Gnaoui music. It plays an active role in raising awareness for art and culture among the Moroccan public, in particular with regard to promoting the country’s artistic heritage. As a symbol of heterogeneous Moroccan society, the festival provides access to the world of art and music and has enabled a dialogue between cultures that is open to a broad audience, thanks to a fusion of world music. Moroccan Gnaoua musical culture was included in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage in 2019.
GNAOUA CULTURE
The Gnaoua are an ethnic minority in Morocco. Their inimitable music with its strong rhythmic element is based on lute-like instruments, barrel drums and metal castanets and used to be played predominantly as part of ritualistic celebrations. Today, it expresses the community’s growing confidence and serves as a source of inspiration for musicians of all genres. For instance, Peter Gabriel has played at the Gnaoua Festivals with Gnaoua bands, and other international stars from genres such as jazz, pop, hip-hop and reggae regularly come to Essaouira to try their hand at a musical crossover.
CULTURE AS A DRIVER OF DEVELOPMENT
Since it was first established, the Gnaoua Festival has shown itself to be an innovative cultural event: a festival of exchange and of sharing, with a strong vision and the desire to build something new. For more than 20 years, the festival has made a contribution to cultural life both on a national and a regional level. The organisers were quick to realise that the festival is no longer just a seasonal event, but a long-term institution for local, regional and national initiatives.
Young people are essential contributors in this development. To meet the socio-cultural expectations of this important group in society, the Gnaoua Festival has come up with dedicated offers to help young people find their voice. It was one of the first festivals whose stages welcomed the artists of the new Moroccan scene, thus giving them visibility, self-confidence and the opportunity to mature as artists.
OULED MOGADOR MUSIC ACTION
As a result of these efforts, OMMA was born in 2015. Ouled Mogador Music Action (OMMA) is a project designed and looked after by the Gnaoua Festival. Its goal is to offer young people from the city the opportunity of training in music-related professions, helping them develop and gain visibility and know-how.
The OMMA project is aware of its potential for general mobilisation and has thus decided to leverage the support from partners who are experienced in fostering the cultural development of Moroccan youth and have successfully built up infrastructures to this end: the AEC L’Boulvart (Boultek), the Foundation Abdelaziz and Touria Tazi (L’Uzine) and the Foundation Hiba. The partners bundle their specialisations and professional expertise and share their knowledge and experience with the goal of training young people in Essaouira in jobs to do with production and technology needed in event organisation.
AMBASSADORS OF FREEDOM AND TOLERANCE
Since it was first founded in 1998, the Gnaoua Festival has again and again met with enthusiasm from the broad public and established itself as a ground-breaking, authentic festival that unites tunes and rhythms from all over the world with the enchanting, haunting sound of Gnaoui music. As a symbol of heterogeneous Moroccan society, the festival provides access to the world of art and music and has enabled a dialogue between cultures that is open to a everyone, thanks to a fusion of world music.
From the very start, the Gnaoua Festival has stood for a timeless community where people are free to move to the sounds of a music that carries a brotherly, universal massage and that shows the face of a Morocco that is free from all social affiliations. The event meets with an incredible echo among hundreds of thousands of visitors from all walks of life.
YOUR PUR LIFE MAROC EXPERIENCE
Transfer with a private chauffeur – after your activities, you will be picked up from the specified location and taken back to your hotel.
Tips in Essaouira
Hotel tips in Essaouira
Hotel tips in Essaouira
Within the ancient walls of Essaouira, Madada Mogador invites you to experience the enchanting blend of Moroccan hospitality and laid-back chic.
Relax and unwind in the unique eco-lodges on the stunning beach of Hotel Baberrih near the picturesque historical town of Essaouira.
One of the most elegant luxury riads in the coastal city of Essaouira. Its enchanting roof terrace is the highest point of the medina, giving visitors incomparable views.
Composed of four traditional, elegant, and superbly located riads tucked into the ramparts of Essaouira's historical medina. Overlooking the ocean and the port.
Experience the enchantment of an superbly restored, 18th century Moroccan riad. Located in the heart of the medina, but close to all the activities on offer at Essaouira’s beach on the Atlantic.
Indulge in the magic of Essaouira at Villa Beldi in Morocco. A timelessly elegant hotel with modern luxuries!
Unique boutique and design gem in the heart of the medina, between Skala de la Kasbah and Place Moulay Hassan, with just six individually designed and themed suites. You must try: the chef’s table.
Stylish country guest house, in the heart of the thuja forest, that has retained the local architectural style while providing modern and sustainable accommodation, including eleven stylish eco domes. Nestled in the Swiri countryside, it’s an oasis of peace.
Within the ancient walls of Essaouira, Madada Mogador invites you to experience the enchanting blend of Moroccan hospitality and laid-back chic.
Relax and unwind in the unique eco-lodges on the stunning beach of Hotel Baberrih near the picturesque historical town of Essaouira.
One of the most elegant luxury riads in the coastal city of Essaouira. Its enchanting roof terrace is the highest point of the medina, giving visitors incomparable views.
Composed of four traditional, elegant, and superbly located riads tucked into the ramparts of Essaouira's historical medina. Overlooking the ocean and the port.
Experience the enchantment of an superbly restored, 18th century Moroccan riad. Located in the heart of the medina, but close to all the activities on offer at Essaouira’s beach on the Atlantic.
Indulge in the magic of Essaouira at Villa Beldi in Morocco. A timelessly elegant hotel with modern luxuries!
Unique boutique and design gem in the heart of the medina, between Skala de la Kasbah and Place Moulay Hassan, with just six individually designed and themed suites. You must try: the chef’s table.
Stylish country guest house, in the heart of the thuja forest, that has retained the local architectural style while providing modern and sustainable accommodation, including eleven stylish eco domes. Nestled in the Swiri countryside, it’s an oasis of peace.
Restaurant tips in Essaouira
Restaurant tips in Essaouira
Within the ancient walls of Essaouira, Madada Mogador invites you to experience the enchanting blend of Moroccan hospitality and laid-back chic.
Eclectic interiors, delicious dishes and delectable cocktails: Le Love by Caravane in the heart of Essaouira’s historic medina is itself a work of art with a wonderful atmosphere.
A vibrant café in the heart of Essaouira’s medina, where works of art and fabulous flavours create a sensational experience. Think traditional Moroccan dishes with vegetarian and vegan options.
Within the ancient walls of Essaouira, Madada Mogador invites you to experience the enchanting blend of Moroccan hospitality and laid-back chic.
Eclectic interiors, delicious dishes and delectable cocktails: Le Love by Caravane in the heart of Essaouira’s historic medina is itself a work of art with a wonderful atmosphere.
A vibrant café in the heart of Essaouira’s medina, where works of art and fabulous flavours create a sensational experience. Think traditional Moroccan dishes with vegetarian and vegan options.
Experiences in Essaouira
Experiences in Essaouira
Lively bathhouse tradition, filled with gossip, laughter and discussions. For the locals, a trip to the hammam is a weekly fixture, and for Morocco fans, it is an absolute highlight.
Why has the UNESCO set aside 26,000 m² in the southwest of Morocco as a biosphere reserve? Because the region is home to a very special tree: the Argan tree, our of which Berber women make precious Argan oil.
Where the world’s best musicians from genres such as Gnaoua, jazz, Flamenco and reggae, Cuba, Tuareg and Tamil get together! The free concerts, jamming sessions & parades take place at the most picturesque spots of the city.
Your Pur Life Maroc private concierge is your personal guide to Morocco, your contact, adviser and local expert – at your disposal from morning to night. For unforgettable holiday moments.
You can’t imagine French vines growing in a place like Morocco? Come and see for yourself, for instance during a visit of the winery Val d’Argan near Essaouira. Treat yourself to one of the 300,000 bottles produced by top grower Charles Melia.
A private chauffeur adds extra relaxation to your Moroccan journey, with safety, comfort and in-depth local knowledge!
Every route, every angle is carefully planned and thought out. Mogador, your golf course in Morocco, offers players many facets: majestic dunes, proximity to the sea, lush greens and a breeze to motivate you.
Lively bathhouse tradition, filled with gossip, laughter and discussions. For the locals, a trip to the hammam is a weekly fixture, and for Morocco fans, it is an absolute highlight.
Why has the UNESCO set aside 26,000 m² in the southwest of Morocco as a biosphere reserve? Because the region is home to a very special tree: the Argan tree, our of which Berber women make precious Argan oil.
Where the world’s best musicians from genres such as Gnaoua, jazz, Flamenco and reggae, Cuba, Tuareg and Tamil get together! The free concerts, jamming sessions & parades take place at the most picturesque spots of the city.
Your Pur Life Maroc private concierge is your personal guide to Morocco, your contact, adviser and local expert – at your disposal from morning to night. For unforgettable holiday moments.
You can’t imagine French vines growing in a place like Morocco? Come and see for yourself, for instance during a visit of the winery Val d’Argan near Essaouira. Treat yourself to one of the 300,000 bottles produced by top grower Charles Melia.
A private chauffeur adds extra relaxation to your Moroccan journey, with safety, comfort and in-depth local knowledge!
Every route, every angle is carefully planned and thought out. Mogador, your golf course in Morocco, offers players many facets: majestic dunes, proximity to the sea, lush greens and a breeze to motivate you.
Lively bathhouse tradition, filled with gossip, laughter and discussions. For the locals, a trip to the hammam is a weekly fixture, and for Morocco fans, it is an absolute highlight.
Why has the UNESCO set aside 26,000 m² in the southwest of Morocco as a biosphere reserve? Because the region is home to a very special tree: the Argan tree, our of which Berber women make precious Argan oil.
Where the world’s best musicians from genres such as Gnaoua, jazz, Flamenco and reggae, Cuba, Tuareg and Tamil get together! The free concerts, jamming sessions & parades take place at the most picturesque spots of the city.
Your Pur Life Maroc private concierge is your personal guide to Morocco, your contact, adviser and local expert – at your disposal from morning to night. For unforgettable holiday moments.
You can’t imagine French vines growing in a place like Morocco? Come and see for yourself, for instance during a visit of the winery Val d’Argan near Essaouira. Treat yourself to one of the 300,000 bottles produced by top grower Charles Melia.
A private chauffeur adds extra relaxation to your Moroccan journey, with safety, comfort and in-depth local knowledge!
Every route, every angle is carefully planned and thought out. Mogador, your golf course in Morocco, offers players many facets: majestic dunes, proximity to the sea, lush greens and a breeze to motivate you.
