Together with Laïla Amezian, we transformed the large hall at MetX into a colourful souk in a Mediterranean atmosphere. Visitors could discover stalls with artisan products, creative workshops and artistic performances with, among others, members of the group Kabareh Cheikhats (MAR), the singers of Sultanats B’net Chaabi and musicians Laurent Blondiau & Toine Thys.

 

For this Souk Chaabi we set up a temporary craft market with all kinds of artistic acts, stalls, theater and music performances. From 2 pm to 7 pm people could stroll past stalls selling artisanal products and delicacies, participate in workshops and attend performances inspired by chaabi music traditions and the art of Aïta. To conclude, all musicians gathered in the middle of the Souk for a Jami’a, a musical moment of trance that created especially for the occasion.

 

 

Besides MetX musicians Laurent Blondiau and Toine Thys and a few singer-percussionists from the Sheikhs Shikhats & B’net Chaabi, the line-up also featured the Kabareh Cheikhats from Casablanca (MAR). This group of men creates a contemporary dance and music performance based on the popular Moroccan chaabi repertoire. On the one hand, to pay tribute to the cheikhats, free but marginalized female artists who dare to denounce injustice. On the other hand, to break certain  taboos that are still strongly present today.

 

The Souk Chaabi was organised as part of the project Chaabi Habibi led by HallfmOon asbl and Nakhla vzw in collaboration with Muziekpublique, Darna, VK, FJM, MetX, Bij de Vieze Gasten, Voix de Femmes, Corso and Tivoli (Utrecht, NL).

 

With the support of the Vlaamse overheid voor Bovenlokale Cultuurprojecten, VGC Erfgoed, Samenwerkingsakkoord Vlaamse Gemeenschap et Communauté Française, COCOF Service Culture-Musique et Un Futur pour la Culture-Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles.