Dervishes whirl the Fez Festival

Day three of the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music was another delight. The afternoon concert of Mugham music from Azerbaijan was an emotional experience as much as a musical one. The vocals from trio leader, Zabit Nabizadde, were a fine exhibition of technical and improvisational virtuosity.

Khayyam Mamadov performing on the kamantaché

The music demonstrates a blend of influences: Caucasian, Persian and Turkish and the performance was the perfect entrée to the evening that was to follow. Rovsgen Gurbanov on tar (lute) and Khayyam Mammadov on the kamantaché fiddle were inspirational.



However the day belonged to the whirling dervishes. Since the Festival programme was announced the most talked about event was the programming of traditional Turkish Dervish with contemporary dance.



The first part of the evening was a masterful performance by the Mevlevi/ Konya Sufi Brotherhood. The traditional Sama or mystical dance was accompanied by a range of instruments including a superb ney ( flute) player. The music of the Samaa is almost seductive and the effect on the audience was immediate and positive.



Unfortunately, the technical change over between acts, which should have been easily accomplished, took a very long time. The waiting was the only blemish on a marvellous night and after what felt like an interminable time resulted in the crowd resorting to a slow clap to encourage a little progress.

Ziya Azazi

While the dance component of the second half did not please some in the audience, for those who appreciate the Sufi roots of the work by Ziya Azazi, it was a treat worth waiting for. The modern approach took many forms - from computer sampling to a series of variations on the dervish whirling.



Ziya's most theatrical moment was his almost magical transformation of one of his whirling skirts into a shimmering circle above his head.

Su Gunes Mihladiz

Later in the performance he was joined by Su Gunes Mihladiz whose initial dance was high energy and pure contemporary. However when Ziya returned to the stage after a short break, he lifted Mihladiz and twirled with her above his head for a long time in a truly gymnastic display that was erotic and sensual.



Our final word today goes to our Social and Fashion Editor, Dominique Nicebites:

Well, talk about a rush to buy silver outfits. The tone set by the first night glitterati has caught on big time and there was more silver on display than any night so far. Silver bags, shoes, socks ( yes, dears I saw silver socks - sockettes actually) and silver skirts, frocks and tops. Silver accessories were awesome... oh dear I have to go shopping.

Hi Ho Silver!

Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news