Timitar 2025: Twenty years of Amazigh music at the heart of african and international dialogues

An Anniversary Edition on the Eve of the AFCON

In Agadir, on 17, 18 and 19 December 2025, the Timitar Festival is set to mark a symbolic milestone: twenty years of existence. Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the festival takes place on the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations, with several matches scheduled in the city. This calendar coincidence offers Timitar exceptional visibility among international media and confirms its role as the leading cultural event preceding the sporting competition.

Since its creation in 2004, Timitar has endured and established itself as a benchmark festival in Morocco and across Africa, thanks to its founding signature: “Amazigh artists welcome the music of the world.” The event goes beyond music alone to embody an open cultural and artistic dialogue, where Amazigh traditions engage with African and international scenes.

17 December: Africa Shared

The opening night places Africa at the heart of the narrative. The creation Ahwach Bnat Louz x Raskas, inspired by Tekchbila, blends Amazigh poetry, rhythms from the Souss region, and electronic textures, creating an unprecedented dialogue between tradition and modernity.

Fatima Tabaamrant, an iconic figure of Amazigh song and cultural activism, reminds audiences that music is also a vehicle of memory and resistance. Alongside her, Alpha Blondy, the Ivorian reggae legend, embodies a conscious and committed musical Africa. Shan’L, Krys M and Isabel Novella bring the freshness of a diverse and contemporary African scene, while Hicham Massine pays tribute to Ammouri M’barek, a pioneer in the modernization of Amazigh song.

18 December: Between the Orient and the Mediterranean

The second evening broadens the perspective toward the Oriental and Mediterranean worlds. Egyptian urban scenes, represented by Double Zuksh and Wegz, combine hip-hop and electronic music to deliver a generational and social message. Izenzaren, a legendary group founded in the 1970s, illustrates the continuity of Amazigh modernity.

The tribute by Marwa Nagy, accompanied by the Hicham Telmoudi Orchestra, resonates as an act of recognition of great Oriental voices. The California-based group AZA demonstrates how North African diasporas connect heritage with contemporary influences, strengthening Timitar’s international dimension.

19 December: Morocco at the Core

The final evening explores Moroccan musical heritage and new generations. Ahwach Aglagal, a troupe from the Anti-Atlas, offers immersive performances combining song, dance and poetry. Khalid Al Waabani, Nacim Haddad and Jaylann embody a plural Moroccan scene, balancing tradition and contemporary pop.

Badr Ouabi pays tribute to Mohamed Rouicha, master of the loutar, while Labess, with its “gypsy-chaâbi” style, illustrates the richness of musical fusions and themes related to exile and identity.

Iconic Venues for Three Days of Music

Concerts will take place each evening from 6:00 p.m. at two key sites: Place Al Amal, recently redeveloped, and the Théâtre de Verdure, restored to host concerts and audiovisual recordings. These venues reflect Agadir’s commitment to making culture an urban and social driver, offering audiences a modern and accessible setting.

A Popular and Inclusive Festival

Free and open to all, Timitar remains true to its popular DNA. Its success rests on the commitment of volunteers, the loyalty of the Agadir public, and the support of local and national institutions. Beyond music, the festival delivers a clear message: Amazigh culture is alive and in constant dialogue with Africa and the world. Just days before the Africa Cup of Nations, Timitar reminds us that music is one of the most powerful languages for telling the continent’s stories, tensions, and hopes.