Bab Gnawa

Marching band – gnawa and chaabi percussion

MetX – Remork & Karkaba – Fatmas de Belgica

4th october

16.30pm

Departure from Fedasil

Rue aux Laines 200, 1000 Brussels

60 years ago, Belgium and Morocco signed a bilateral agreement on the employment of Moroccan workers in our country. This year, Art+People is inviting MetX to celebrate this rich history of migration. Moroccan percussion, song and dance form the basis of a grand parade through the neighbourhood, followed by an evening programme including film screenings and a concert at MetX.

→ And also…

· 6.45pm – Cosy couscous

· 8:00pm – Screening of Merhaba Gnawa, a documentary on the Gnawas in Brussels by Sebastian Strycharski in co-production with Centre Vidéo de Bruxelles

· 8.30pm – Concert by Remork & Karkaba and Fatmas de Belgica

MetX, Rue de Lenglentier 20, 1000 Brussels

Production and Coordination: MetX

Artistic coordination: Driss Filali, Mohamed Saïd Akasri, Laïla Amezian & Luc Mishalle

Gnawa marching bands and percussion: Remork & Karkaba feat. Brassa Horns, Salamba Drums and all the participants in MetX’s educational and participatory workshops

Chaabi percussion: Fatmas de Belgica feat. B’net Chaabi

In partnership with Darna, HalfmOon and VK

Thanks to: Institut Dominique Pire, CEC Les Mercredis artistiques, Fedasil and all participants.

About

MetX  is a production company made by and for music creators. In collaboration with artists from diverse backgrounds, Metx creates original repertoires and ensembles. Firstly, through the production and promotion of groups such as Remork & Karkaba and Fatmas de Belgica. Secondly, by opening up and passing on as much of our composers’ repertoires and acquired knowledge as possible.

Remork & Karkaba  is a unique marching band composed of a wind section and Moroccan gnawa percussion. Since their creation by Luc Mishalle 15 years ago, they have been winning over young and old alike, from near and far, with their solid brass band riffs accompanied by percussion and gnawa dances.

The Remork marching band goes hand in hand with Karkaba, the gnawa training programme run by maalem Driss Filali and Mohamed Saïd Akasri. Together, they are constantly developing their repertoire through collaborations with other artists and organisations.

Directed by Laïla Amezian, Fatmas de Belgica is a women’s choir inspired by the chaabi tradition to pay tribute to the women of the Moroccan diaspora. They develop their own repertoire based on elements such as laments, poetry in Darija (Moroccan Arabic) and rhythm played on traditional instruments such as the bendir and taarija.

Partners