Morocco's sacred music festival honours women

In Morocco the 22nd annual world sacred music bonanza has been underway in Fez, one of the oldest imperial cities in the North African country.

This year’s music festival has paid homage to women’s contribution to music around the globe.

“Musicians convey many emotions when singing, including pleasure and ecstasy, and that is something that has always terrified society. So they are relegated to a certain lower category. But what we are trying to show in this festival is precisely the role that women used to play, and continue to play today in the world in Europe, in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East,” said Alain Weber, Fes Festival Artistic Director.

Fes Festival of World Sacred Music Day 6 – Review
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— The View from Fez (@theviewfromfez) May 12, 2016

Performers around the globe attended the fete showcasing their different sounds and cultures where they were united by sound and rhythm.

The shows all highlighted the vital role of women in various cultures as it gave women a big platform for their voices to be heard.

“We believe that with music you can change lots of things. It is easier to change people’s mentality with music than with weapons or with war. Music is soft and it is easy to use to pass on a message,” said Malian singer Oumou Sangare.

The 9 day festival began on May 6 to 14 at different location in the city of Fes. The festival incorporated lectures as well as debates from women in the music industry.

Reuters