Traces of ,Moors' – Musik- und Tanzfestival – Tag 2

In the organizer's words:

TRACES OF 'MOORS' - Moorish Traces

2 days | concerts | dance | panel talks | workshops | film

Munich is getting a festival that makes musical history audible in a new way.

The transcultural ensemble JISR is celebrating its tenth anniversary with TRACES OF 'MOORS' - Moorish Traces. Since its foundation in 2016, the collective, under the artistic direction of Mohcine Ramdan, has combined musical practice with social reflection and built bridges between North Africa, Europe and the global diaspora.

Saturday, April 25, 2026

20:00 - Concert

Basma Jabr

Singer Basma Jabr takes to the stage with a voice that connects musical spaces between the Levant and North Africa. Her interpretations move between classical Arabic singing, Andalusian influences and contemporary soundscapes of the Mediterranean region.

Together with outstanding musicians from Morocco and Europe, an ensemble is created around the oud, the instrument that later became the European lute and reached Europe via Al-Andalus in the Middle Ages. The concert unfolds a musical journey along historical connections between Orient and Occident.

21:15 - Concert

Bnat Elhouwariyat

The women's ensemble Bnat Elhouwariyat from Marrakech is one of the most important keepers of a centuries-old musical tradition. Their songs originate from the Houara region and have accompanied weddings, festivals and community rituals for generations.

Under the direction of Khadija El Warzaziya, they combine traditional rhythms with new musical influences. Instruments such as the bendir, taarija and the unusual tabsil - finger cymbals played on a tea tray - create a powerful rhythmic soundscape. The music tells of everyday life, spirituality and female strength.

22:00 - Fusion Performance

Bnat Elhouwariyat × JISR × Sankofa × Outtaspace

The finale of the festival brings together different musical and dance traditions. Traditional rhythms from Morocco, jazz improvisation and urban dance culture come together.

The Munich hip-hop crews Sankofa and Outtaspace bring the energy of the breakdance scene to the concert hall, while the musicians from JISR and Bnat Elhouwariyat draw musical lines between tradition and the present.

The hall becomes a cypher: rhythm, movement and improvisation combine to create a lively picture of the cultural diversity of a city like Munich.