Sacred Music Traditions Convene in Spectacular Venues
throughout the Ancient City
An Inspiration to U2 and others,
Festival Concerts Run May 29-June 6
Globally, the fractiousness, warfare, and ever-intensifying political rhetoric of our era often makes it seem as if there are unbridgeable chasms between cultures that no amount of effort or good intention can surmount. However, the first Gulf War also inspired the extraordinary Fès Festival of World Sacred Music in Fès, Morocco in 1994. Now in its 15th year, the festival brings together celebrated artists from Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu and other faiths to perform sacred music and to offer in these concerts, in a spirit of mutual respect and collaboration, a glimmer of hope during a dark time. Bypassing issues and arguments, cultural differences and divides, the audience is connected only by music, which speaks the language of the heart.
The 2009 Festival, which takes place in and around the ancient medina in Fès, runs from May 29th to June 6th. A must-do festival for world music insiders throughout Europe, the Fès Festival of World Sacred Music resonates now with Americans who have elected a new President whose background includes Muslim and African traditions.
The festival’s profile will also get a boost in the U.S. this March with the release of U2′s new CD No Line on the Horizon, much of which was inspired by their visit to the Fès Festival in 2007. “Fès is a holy place for musicians,” says Bono, the group’s singer. “We came to pay tribute, and to learn.” The festival’s influence is reflected in the CD package’s photo of the band overlooking the medina, and in the song “Fez: Being Born.” (The group will begin their U.S. tour in Chicago on September 12th) (more…)
