Morocco will be the first guest country of honor at the MED Festival in Loulé, Algarve region (southern Portugal), taking place from June 27 to 30, 2024. The announcement was made during the BTL tourism fair in Lisbon, which also revealed the first artists performing at this year's festival. This summer musical event will introduce a significant change by featuring one guest country per edition. The Kingdom of Morocco was chosen to be the first, with the aim of showcasing «its culture and traditions, be it through music, handicraft, gastronomy, literature and other cultural means», according to Portuguese media. Among the first artists confirmed for the festival this year are Oum (Morocco), Afrotronix (Chad), Anthony B (Jamaica), and many more international acts. Municipal councilor in Loulé and director of the MED Festival, Carlos Carmo, spoke about the decision to focus on a neighboring country to the south. «Our cultural identity and historical heritage are closely linked to the Arab legacy left in our territory. Loulé has a strong Arab influence, being home to the only known complete Islamic Baths in the Iberian Peninsula». Loulé, a market town, is located in the southernmost region of Portugal. This historic meeting point of African, Arab, Amazigh, Iberian and European civilizations has shaped the cultures of the Mediterranean rim. «Furthermore, there has been a strengthening of ties with Morocco, so this challenge made perfect sense», Carmo added. During the festival, a souk (market) will be recreated in the cloister of the Espírito Santo de Loulé convent. Festival-goers will be able to experience the true atmosphere of Morocco through an immersive experience in the decorations, the scents and flavors, the music and the dances, according to a press release from the municipality of Loulé. Moroccan cuisine and gastronomy will be one of the highlights of this edition, offering tasting sessions of typical dishes such as tagines, couscous, and traditional mint tea. In total, the 2024 edition of the festival is expected to offer 90 hours of live music, divided into 54 concerts on 12 stages, with the participation of 358 musicians from 30 countries.
