Radio Papesse

This piece has been shortlisted in the context of the Süden Radio open call for soundworks.

Carnival in Casbah is a sound journey through the old city of Marrakech, with musical improvisations, poetry, hectic theater movements...Founded in 1070–72 by the Almoravids, Marrakech remained a political, economic and cultural centre for a long period. Its influence was felt throughout the western Muslim world, from North Africa to Andalusia. It has several impressive monuments dating from that period: the Koutoubiya Mosque, the Kasbah, the battlements, many monumental doors, gardens, etc. Later architectural jewels include the Bandia? Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Saadian Tombs, several great residences and Place Jamaa? El Fna, a veritable open-air theatre.

Gnawa music is a rich repertoire of ancient African Islamic spiritual religious songs and rhythms. Its well preserved heritage combines ritual poetry with traditional music and dancing.
The music is performed at Lila's, communal nights of celebration, dedicated to prayer and healing, guided by the Gnawa Maalem and his group of musicians and dancers. Though many of the influences that formed this music can be traced to sub-Saharan West-Africa, its traditional practice is concentrated in Morocco and the Be?char Province in South-Western Algeria.

Carnival in Casbah is produced following an artistic meeting MAM - Maroc Artist Meeting 2014 with artists from Morocco and rest of the World.

Abdellah M. Hassak is a new media and sound artist, musician and producer, cultural manager and engineer. His sound work focuses on the use of digital technologies, computer coding for processing and sound interactivity.
He is interested in archives, cultural and artistic heritage. At the same time - Abdellah M. Hassak states - new technologies help to facilitate communication. By remixing tradition and connecting it to technologies he tries to create spaces of cultural exchanges and interconnections. His work is deeply involved with the city - its chaotic and anarchist sounds - a fecund place to contextualize his sound art in.