The 18th edition of the On Marche International Contemporary Dance Festival returns to Marrakech from April 4 to 12, focusing on four key values: hope, youth, audience, and Africa. As in previous editions, the festival will take over the city with performances, screenings, debates, masterclasses, and shows, showcasing artists from both the Moroccan and international choreographic scenes, according to a press release from the organizers. This year's lineup includes companies from Belgium, France, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Spain, and Lebanon, with all performances remaining free of charge. The festival's long-standing efforts to establish contemporary dance as a recognized art form in Morocco are now bearing fruit, thanks in part to support from key partners, including the Wilaya of the Marrakech-Safi region, the Regional Council of Marrakech-Safi, Es Saadi Marrakech Resort, the French Institute, the Higher School of Visual Arts (ESAV-Marrakech), and others. A major milestone in 2025 is the signing of a three-year agreement between the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication and the On Marche festival, the statement continues. Additionally, a new partnership with the Wallonia-Brussels Federation will bring three Belgian artists to Morocco for the first time. The festival also nurtures young talent through Nafass - On Marche, Morocco's first school of thought for choreographic arts, which includes the Taklif Prize, supporting a new generation of choreographers. Finalists benefit from artistic residencies in Morocco and abroad to develop their first creations, and this year's program will feature performances by the 2023 and 2024 laureates. A new highlight of this edition is a three-year training program in partnership with the Dar Bellarj Foundation, designed for around 30 teenagers. They began their training with internationally renowned dancer and choreographer Bernardo Montet, and the results of their work will culminate in a performance titled Melach, the Salt of the Stars. Opus 1 (France/Morocco) on Wednesday, April 9, at 5 PM at the Dar Bellarj Foundation. As in previous years, a participatory project will bring together 70 dancers and non-dancers, who registered in advance, to engage the public in dance performances in public spaces. Under the direction of choreographer Olivier Dubois, participants will take part in Parade at Jemaa El-Fna square on Saturday, April 12, at 4 PM and 6 PM. This year's program also highlights its African connections with several standout performances, including Black by Oulouy (Spain/Côte d'Ivoire) on Monday, April 7, at 8 PM at ESAV; Trois fois seul by Salia Sanou (Burkina Faso) on Tuesday, April 8, at 8 PM at Es Saadi Marrakech Resort; and Danser la Boza (concept by Taoufiq Izeddiou / documentary by Khalid Mouna) (Morocco) on Thursday, April 10, at 4:30 PM at the French Institute of Marrakech.
