Morocco was the guest of honor at the SummerStage Festival in New York’s Central Park on Wednesday, July 15, marking the first time the festival has dedicated a full evening to an Arab and African country.
Held as part of SummerStage’s 40th anniversary celebrations, the concert, titled “Morocco: From Dakhla to Casablanca,” showcased the diversity of Moroccan music, blending traditional and contemporary styles.
The event was organized through a partnership between the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME), and Maroc Festivals as part of the “Morocco of Festivals” program, launched in 2012 to promote Moroccan festivals and artists on international stages.
The audience enjoyed performances by several Moroccan artists representing different musical traditions. The evening opened with Dakhla Casa Express, followed by Mr. ID, who presented modern electronic interpretations of Hassani music.
The concert continued with a performance by Maalem Hamid El Kasri, one of Morocco’s leading Gnawa musicians, before Hoba Hoba Spirit closed the night with its energetic mix of rock, reggae, and Moroccan rhythms, drawing enthusiastic applause from a diverse audience of Moroccans, Americans, and international visitors.
The event was attended by Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Omar Hilale, Morocco’s Consul General in New York, Mohamed Aït Bihi, and members of the Moroccan community living in the United States.
Speaking to MAP, Aït Bihi said the event reflected the long-standing friendship between Morocco and the United States and highlighted the strength of their strategic partnership. He also stressed the role of cultural diplomacy in bringing people together and promoting dialogue and mutual understanding.
The participating Moroccan artists will also take part in professional networking sessions organized by Maroc Festivals and SummerStage to help expand their presence in the U.S. music market.
SummerStage attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators every year across New York City’s parks. This year’s edition is particularly significant as the festival celebrates its 40th anniversary as one of the world’s leading showcases for international music.
