Every year around June or July the city of Marrakech becomes a little livelier for the Festival Nacional des Arts Populaires. This year, the 45th edition Marrakech’s Popular Arts Festival will take place from the 16th until the 24th of July. As one of the most popular events in Marrakech, this festival features entertainers and all sorts of artists from across Europe and Asia and combines modern entertainment with old traditions.

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But this event doesn’t only stand for internationality. This event is a melting pot for the cultures of Marocco’s various regions and creates a unique experience of sounds, color and rhythm. Ancient folkdances, traditional Berber musicians and the enchantment of belly dancers are some of the traditional highlights this event has to offer. One of the most popular features is the ‘fantasia’, a choreographed trick horse-riding spectacle held each evening in a field near the Bab Jdid just outside the city walls. Some of the main events will take place on the city’s main square, Djemma el Fna.

The whole city will be filled with lively events including artists, craftsmen, vendors, musicians, acrobats, fire-swallowers and dancers. However the center of all happenings is still the El Badi Palace and its courtyards which once used to be the heart and soul of the powerful Saadian Dynasty.

There is not much left of the original palace itself, since it was destroyed by Moulay Ismaiel, who reigned from 1672 to 1727. Still, the red walls and foundation remain, reminders of what this once great palace, constructed by El Monsour in the 16th century, must have been. The place still gives the visitor and idea of how glorious it used to be, especially during the days of this exciting event.

If you would like to take a little break from this event you can escape to gardens of the Saadian Tombs or the peaceful grounds of the Majorelle gardens. And when it comes to finding accommodation there is nothing better than Apartments in Marrakech, where you have a little bit of private space after diving into the rich programme of the festival.