Detour to Essaouria to follow the Gnaoua and world music festival. Three days of parties, concerts and trance. This is the 25th edition of this renowned event which celebrates, defends and brings this ancestral tradition to life. On the menu, three days of concerts, all free. Our special correspondent crossed paths with a young musician from the city, Abdeldmalek El Kadiri. He is part of the new generation of Maâlem, these masters who carry the Gnawa culture.
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Absolutely gentle and wise, Abdelmalek El Kadiri has kept his childish look and smile. A native of Essaouria, it was by following musicians in his neighborhood that he discovered and then learned Gnaoua music.
” We start with castanets, dancing… and then, we have access to the guembri. Subsequently, the Maâlem gives his green light to be able to practice and to be able to play full time », Explains Abdelmalek El Kadiri.
” Peace must reign »
Guembri virtuoso from adolescence, astonishingly easy singer, at 37 years old, Abdelmalek El Kadriri already has a 23-year career… and the desire to play his role in the present.
Faced with injustice and violence in Africa and the Middle East, he has only one message to convey: “It brings me back to the different songs that talk about the problems of slaves and their suffering. And this refers to one message, peace must reign and today we want to see this peace everywhere in the world.”
Peace, a theme and this song taken up heartily by the audience of the Gnaoua festival.
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