The Hague Beats to Gnawa Rhythms

From October 28 to November 7, the Dutch city of The Hague hosts the eighth edition of the Holland Gnawa Festival, an event that celebrates Moroccan gnawa music. This festival, held in the capital of the Netherlands, offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity by inviting maâlems, female musicians, and electronic ensembles. The sounds of gnawa, a deeply rooted Moroccan heritage within Berber and Arab-Andalusian culture, intertwine here with contemporary sounds, offering a rich and varied sonic experience. The festive atmosphere of The Hague transforms into an open-air concert venue, where each evening features an engaging performance. The festival attracts not only traditional music enthusiasts but also curious listeners eager to discover new sounds. Through the performances, gnawa, often associated with rituals and ceremonies, reveals itself as a living music capable of engaging with current musical trends. The initiation to gnawa, often seen as an art reserved for a select few, becomes accessible to all here. The festival, by combining Moroccan artists with contemporary musicians, promotes a broader and more inclusive vision of this music. The Hague, far from its geographical origins, becomes a cultural meeting place where gnawa expresses itself through modern sounds rooted in the history and soul of Moroccan music.