Visa for Music: musical, cultural diversity at festival closing

The 9th edition of the Visa for Music Festival ended Saturday night in Rabat, with performances marked by musical and cultural diversity.

As a real link between African, Middle Eastern and world music, the closing of this festival was a real invitation to live together and to accept cultural differences through music.

The festival invited several artists for a moment of sharing, during which the public enjoyed unique sounds and rhythms, mixing various instruments and different musical genres to create an authentic artistic patchwork.

Samir Aouad, accompanied by Rémi Allain on double bass and Olivier Besson on saxophone, was able to captivate the audience with his way of playing the Oud and his musical universe which feeds on jazz, Arab, Ottoman and Andalusian music to create unique compositions.

Thanks to his artistic talent and musical expertise, Aouad allowed the public to discover the instrument from another angle, without touching its authenticity.

For her part, the Guinean artist Tenin Diawara has transported the audience to the rhythm of his committed songs. Charmed by the richness of its messages and by the warm voice of the artist, the public was invited to a moment of pure artistic happiness, where the music is enjoyed and shared.

The Tunisian musical group Gultrah Sound System has transported the audience with its fluid and lively, mixing Tunisian music with other world music to the rhythm of several instruments, including violin and percussion, to the delight of music lovers.

Jamaican-Canadian singer-songwriter Odreii lit up the stage with her RnB and Soul music. With her powerful lyrics and unique flow, Odreii took the audience on a journey to the rhythm of the melodies, for a guaranteed moment of escape.

The 9th edition of the music festival and professional market from Africa and the Middle East “Visa for Music”, placed under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI, was organized on November 16-19 as part of the celebration of “Rabat African Capital of Culture”.

On the program of this edition, more than 35 musical concerts, 8 conferences and several workshops honoring the richness of African musical heritage, with the participation of some 1,200 professionals.