Under the theme “The importance of the place, the importance of the link”, this meeting, attended by Advisor to HM the King and Founding President of the Essaouira-Mogador Association André Azoulay, provided an opportunity for an audience of musicians, researchers, journalists and intellectuals to shed light on the key role of the “Jazz under the Argan Tree” festival in promoting Essaouira's identity as an exceptional global cultural crossroads and host to music from all over the world.

Gathered at Bayt Dakira, the speakers highlighted the intercultural dimension of the festival, which, beyond its musical performances, constitutes a privileged platform for sharing, dialogue and artistic exchanges conducive to unprecedented international collaborations.

They also noted that this staple musical event embodies a unique model for encounters between cultures, enabling Moroccan artists to feed off the influence of their international counterparts, while promoting the richness of their own emblematic musical heritage.

In this vein, the speakers particularly emphasized the importance of this festival for the young generation of Moroccan and African jazz and world music artists, who find in this venue a privileged platform to gain exposure on an international scale.

Initiated by the Essaouira-Mogador Association, the 8th “Jazz under the Argan Tree” reinforces the Windy City's position as a cultural crossroads and living crucible of artistic innovation, where heritage reinvents itself to better meet the future.