The common characteristic to these groups of widely varying expressions is the spiritual dimension, to be understood in its broader sense , as the musicians aim at lifting up the minds and at fusing with the audience, in order to carry it away.

This year’s program rests on the existing geography : the Egyptian Sufi music has its center in Upper-Egypt, and Gourna is one of the active places of Sufism.
We have established extensions towards two opposite poles :
- towards the South : with Sudan, where Sufi music is rythmed by the powerful Black-African roots.
(Ismael Muhammad Ali - an amazing voice - has never yet left his country) ;
- towards the North-West : with Morocco, where the Gnawas, originary from Central Africa, developped their trance music that presents many affinities in mode and expression with the music from Sudan.

Like in 2000, the Festival will take place in a tent in the open air in Al-Buayrat, Gourna, located five minutes away from Medinet Habu.

Each performance will be preceeded by a 1 hour workshop, during which musicologist Frédéric Lagrange will familiarize us with the specificity of the musical expression to follow (cfr. previous information letter) through a discussion with the musicians about their origins, traditions and expression modes.

This year for the first time, the invited musicians will remain in Gourna for the entire duration of the Festival, allowing interesting exchanges to take place.