Essaouira Set to Host 11th Edition of Human Rights Forum at Gnaoua and World Music Festival

Beni Mellal – The Gnaoua and World Music Festival’s Human Rights Forum is gearing up for its 11th edition, set to take place on June 28-29, 2024, at the Atlas Essaouira hotel.

The forum, organized annually in partnership with the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME), will bring together prominent figures from diverse backgrounds to discuss the theme “Morocco, Spain, Portugal: a history that looks to the future,” according to a press release shared with Morocco World News.

The upcoming forum takes on a special significance as Morocco, Spain, and Portugal prepare to jointly host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, a testament to the strong ties between the three nations spanning over a millennium.

The keynote speaker for this edition will be José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, former President of the Spanish Government, who will address the topic “The Mediterranean … Border or Crossroads between Africa and Europe?”

The forum will feature three thematic panel discussions, each addressing crucial aspects of the trilateral relationship.

According to the statement, the first panel, titled “Sport, Art and Culture … Fatum Nostrum (Our Shared Destiny),” will explore the role of these domains in shaping the shared future of the three countries.

The second panel, “1000 Years of History, What Do We Carry Within Us?” will delve into the historical context and its impact on the present.

The third panel, “Human Mobility, Economy, Diasporas … Neighbouring Histories,” will focus on the dynamics of migration, economic ties, and diaspora communities.

Neila Tazi, producer of the Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira, emphasized in the statement the forum’s commitment to engaging with the debates and issues that shape our societies.

“The organization of this World Cup is a major moment in our contemporary history. This year’s forum is our way of participating in this moment, through the insights and contributions of leading personalities,” she stated.

Driss El Yazami, President of the CCME, commented on the importance of exploring the roles of civil society, intellectuals, artists, and athletes in building healthy and sustainable relationships between the three countries.

He also stressed the need to understand the evolution of mobility in this part of the world and how topics such as exile, community, and country are discussed within each diaspora.

The 11th edition of the Human Rights Forum is set to be a platform for thought-provoking discussions and insights, bringing together a diverse array of speakers, including professors, authors, researchers, musicians, filmmakers, and activists from Morocco, Spain, and Portugal.

The Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival, now in its 25th year, has transformed the cultural landscape of Morocco and the global perception of Gnaoua music.

The festival has evolved from a grassroots movement to preserve and celebrate Gnaoua music into an internationally acclaimed event that showcases musical fusion and cultural exchange.

As is evident with its inclusion in UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, Gnaoua music has elevated from being a marginalized genre to receiving national and international recognition, thanks in a large part to the festival. The festival continues to serve as a cultural hub, fostering dialogue, supporting new talents, and contributing to the local economy of Essaouira.