Run to the Rhythm of Sacred Music

Fez – The 21^st Annual Fes Festival of World Sacred Music will kick off this weekend with a variety of events and concerts that draw thousands of visitors from around the world to Morocco’s spiritual capital every year. The nine-day music festival will provide patrons with a chance to experience the enchantment of curated music concerts while exploring some of the city’s historical venues.

Visitors looking to get a jumpstart on their musical journey can participate in the third edition of the Race to the Rhythm of Sacred Music set for this Saturday May 23. The Fes Saiss Association sponsors the race that will welcome amateur runners as well as some of Morocco’s running superstars and Olympians including Nawal Moutawakkil, Aziz Daouda, Khalid Skah and Hicham El Guerrouj.

The 6.6-kilometer race named ““Course aux Rythmes des Musiques Sacrées,” will provide runners with a chance to get into the sacred music spirit as they travel through a musical tour of Fes starting at the famous Bab Boujloud gate at the head of the Old Medina. Runners will wind through a looped course throughout the historical parts of Fes and pass by some of the city’s mystical sites, charming gardens and timeworn monuments while enjoying the live performances of Moroccan folk musicians who will be dotted along the twists and turns of the racecourse.

Participants will start the race just outside of Bab Boujoud and make their way past Bab Makina, Bab Meknes, Bab Marrakesh, Jardin Jnan Sbil, and Batha Museum before returning back to Boujloud square for a closing concert just past the finish line.

Participants hoping to take part in the race can register at the Delegation de Jeunesse et de Sport on Rue Chefchaouni.

Photo credit: Fes Saiss Association