Mawazine — which means "rhythms" in Arabic — is today one of the largest music festivals in the world by attendance. More than 2.5 million cumulative spectators over nine days, seven simultaneous stages scattered across Rabat, one of the most international programmes of the Maghreb.

Gallery

scroll →
Mawazine Rabat
Mawazine Rabat To be replaced · OLM Souissi stage
Programmation musicale
Musical programme 2.5 million spectators

Video · The gesture in motion

to be replaced
Mawazine Rabat Placeholder · to be replaced by a YouTube / Vimeo embed (FR · AR · EN subtitles)

The festival was launched in 2001 by the Maroc Cultures Association, under the presidency of Mounir Majidi. It long stirred internal debate over the cost (partly covered by private patronage) and the space left to the Moroccan programme.

I. Seven stages

Seven major stage venues across Rabat: OLM Souissi (international rock/pop), Bouregreg (world music), Salé-beach, Mehdi Ben Barka, Mohammed V National Theatre, Chellah, Nations Unies square. Each stage has a thematic identity.

II. Programme

Past international headliners: Shakira, Stromae, Mariah Carey, Bruno Mars, Whitney Houston, Quincy Jones, Maroon 5. Moroccan programme: Saâd Lamjarred, Asma Lmnawar, Hatim Ammor, RedOne. African and Arab programme: Angélique Kidjo, Salif Keita, Amr Diab.

III. The cultural stake

Mawazine has made Rabat a festival destination in its own right, distinct from Casablanca or Marrakech. It represents the assumed art of living of the capital: popular, mixed, accessible (the majority of the stages are free).

∗ Sources

  1. Mawazine Festival — mawazine.ma
  2. Maroc Cultures Association — maroccultures.com