The Fado Festival, a traveling celebration of Portuguese culture through its most iconic musical genre, is set to return to Rabat on September 18 and 19 for its eighth Moroccan edition. Held annually across 18 major cities in Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia, this cultural tour marks its 15th global edition this year. In Rabat, the festival will pay tribute to Carlos Paredes (1925–2004), a towering figure in the world of the Portuguese guitar, renowned for his virtuosity and for elevating the instrument to a solo art form. The Mohammed V National Theatre will host two evenings of concerts, talks, and a film screening, offering audiences an in-depth look at the extraordinary legacy of this legendary musician. On Thursday, September 18, the program opens at 6:30 PM with a conference titled The Importance of Paredes in the Development of Modern Portuguese Guitar, led by acclaimed guitarist and educator Paulo Soares. Soares will explore the artistic and technical innovations introduced by Paredes, whose modern approach to the Portuguese guitar inspired generations of musicians. Later that evening, at 8:00 PM, a tribute concert will bring together Luís Guerreiro, Paulo Soares, and vocalist Beatriz Villar, who released her debut EP Viragem in 2023. Guerreiro, considered one of the foremost interpreters of the Portuguese guitar today, will join Soares in revisiting some of Paredes' most iconic compositions, celebrating the timeless influence of his work. On Friday, September 19, the festival continues with a 6:30 PM screening of Movimentos Perpétuos by Edgar Pêra, a documentary tribute to Carlos Paredes featuring archival footage and testimonies from fellow musicians reflecting on his deep imprint on Portuguese music. The closing concert at 8:00 PM will feature Filipa Vieira, a Lisbon native immersed in Fado from a young age. Winner of the Young Talent Fado Award in 2018, Vieira represents the new generation of Fado artists with her soulful and expressive voice. With this program, the Fado Festival Morocco offers music lovers an immersive journey into the heart of Fado and the Portuguese guitar, shining a spotlight on one of its most influential and beloved ambassadors. Tickets are available online and at the Mohammed V National Theatre box office.
