More than 120,000 attend Ifrane’s annual international cultural festival

An Ahidous troupe performs at the International Ifrane Festival.

VideoThe eighth edition of the International Ifrane Festival came to a close on Wednesday after several days of artistic and cultural programming that attracted thousands of visitors from Morocco and abroad. Organized by the Ifrane Forum for Culture and Development in partnership with the Ifrane Provincial Authority and the Fez-Meknes Regional Council, this year’s festival was held under the theme: “Ifrane National Park: An Exceptional Natural Heritage—Shared Challenges and Prospects for Sustainable Development.”

On 31/07/2026 at 11h00

The festival concluded with a major concert on the Taj stage, featuring Moroccan singer Asma Lamnawar alongside Amazigh folk artist Badr Ouabi. One of the evening’s highlights was the Ahidous Symphony, a performance that blended Amazigh heritage with contemporary musical direction.

Before taking the Taj stage, members of the Ahidous Symphony marched through several streets of Ifrane in an open-air artistic procession that drew the attention of residents and visitors alike. They wrapped up their participation with a group performance showcasing the rich Amazigh heritage of the Middle Atlas region in a presentation that was warmly received by the audience.

The festival extended well beyond its evening concerts, offering a handicrafts exhibition, educational workshops for children, awareness seminars on environmental protection and the conservation of cedar forests, as well as sports and recreational activities. The program reflected this year’s theme, which links culture with sustainable development.

Speaking to Le360, the festival’s artistic director, Ismail El Jay, said the eighth edition had been a remarkable success on several fronts, citing both the turnout of more than 120,000 spectators and the quality of the artistic program and organization.

He noted that all of the festival’s concerts attracted large crowds, helping stimulate economic and tourism activity in Ifrane while reinforcing the festival’s standing as one of Morocco’s leading summer cultural events.

El Jay added that the organizers had sought to present a diverse program spanning multiple musical genres while giving Moroccan heritage a prominent place. He said the success of this year’s edition would serve as an incentive to continue developing the festival and expanding its reach in future editions.

By Youssra Jaoual
On 31/07/2026 at 11h00