The 21st edition of the Timitar Festival closed Saturday night in Agadir after three days of strong turnout across its two stages, capping what organizers and attendees described as a flawless edition of the annual music festival built around Amazigh culture and its dialogue with the wider world.
The opening night set the tone, with the women’s Ahwach troupe Tiferkhin showcasing the traditions of Morocco’s Grand Sud before Lartiste, Benny Adam, Sofia Marikh, DJ Key and Najat Aatabou drew crowds to Place Al Amal in a celebration blending modern sounds with popular heritage. At the Théâtre de Verdure, Mauritanian singer Malouma and Fatima Tihihite offered a meeting of Amazigh and Mauritanian musical traditions.
The second night turned toward the African continent, with Larbi Imghrane, Zouhair Bahaoui, Zina Daoudia and the Ahwach troupe of Kelâat M’Gouna representing a contemporary, plural Morocco on the main stage, while Aïcha Koné and the Africa United collective brought a creative, dynamic African scene to the Théâtre de Verdure.
The closing night lived up to expectations: Ragheb Alama, Oudaden, Hamid El Kasri and DJ HBrown kept Place Al Amal dancing until the final notes, while Fatima Tabaamrant, Abeer Nehme and Fatema Tachtoukt offered the Théâtre de Verdure a blend of poetry, heritage and raw emotion.
Beyond the lineup, organizers pointed to flawless logistics — with local authorities, elected officials and security forces mobilized alongside tourism sector players — as key to the festival’s success. Aziz Akhannouch, president of Agadir’s communal council, and Said Amzazi, wali of the Souss-Massa region, were seen among the crowds each night. The festival’s 22nd edition is already being planned for next year.