This year marks 60 years since that Morocco and Belgium signed an agreement on the employment of Moroccan workers in Belgium. On September 22, we will celebrate this rich migration history during a meandering party through the streets of Brussels on Car-Free Sunday.
Moroccan percussion, song and dance form the basis for a grand parade from the canal to the centre of the city, with musical interludes at AB, the Grand Place (as a part of the Folklorissimo festival) and Beursschouwburg.
The arrival of the parade at AB is scheduled for around 3:30pm. Enjoy a concert highlight with the Moroccan anafil players of N’fars, followed by a performance from Karkaba together with Fatmas de Belgica – a women’s choir led by Laïla Amezian that brings new life to popular and traditional music from Northern Morocco.
If you feel like joining the parade, you can take part in the revelry together with the music makers of MetX and a host of partners. As of August, you can learn to play Morocco’s gnawa and chaabi rhythms during a free music session and workshops in collaboration with schools, Youth Centres and other local partners in Brussels City and Molenbeek. More info about that can be found here.
During Street Sounds, there will be something happening in front of AB on the Anspachlaan all afternoon: Byrrrh and Skate will give free skate-initiations for all ages while DJ IMAM will provide the perfect musical input.
MAR-BEL is a co-production of MetX & Folklorissimo in collaboreation with AB, Beursschouwburg, MolenFest, Darna, HalfmOon, VK & Zinneke. With the support of the City of Brussels.