MOROCCO: Colombian singer Shakira takes to the stage at Mawazine Festival in capital of Rabat

Record ID: 827560

  • Title: MOROCCO: Colombian singer Shakira takes to the stage at Mawazine Festival in capital of Rabat
  • Date: 31st May 2011
  • Summary: RABAT, MOROCCO (MAY 25, 2011) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (French) AZIZ DAKI, MAWAZINE FESTIVAL ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, SAYING: "We are proud to have her in our festival because she is one of the most popular artists in Morocco. She has fans everywhere, those who like international or oriental music. Her audience ranges from children who like what she does to adults. It is very rare to find an artist that could gather those various audiences around her."
  • Embargoed: 15th June 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Morocco, Morocco
  • Country: Morocco
  • Reuters ID: LVAC0M36QI58Z9ACX69QVMK8V7DK
  • Story Text: Thousands of Shakira fans descended on the Moroccan capital on Saturday (May 28) for a concert by the Colombian megastar at Rabat's Mawazine Festival.
    Shakira told a news conference the performance was a trip down her musical memory lane.
    "Arab music has also inspired me enormously throughout my career, and since I remember I exist I was already trying to move and dance to the music of Fairuz and Oum Kalthoum. So, I have learned to appreciate Arabic music and the rhythms of Arab music," Shakira said.
    "It is present in my music too. So who knows -- it would be challenge to do an album in Arabic, I would have to learn Arabic first but it would be amazing to participate and collaborate with great Arabic producers and singers. I could be open to that experience," she added.
    The Mawazine Festival, marking its tenth year, has hosted big names from across the globe, including stars like Stevie Wonder, Sting and Elton John.
    Aziz Daki, artistic director of the festival, said Shakira appealed to a wide ranging fan base.
    "We are proud to have her in our festival because she is one of the most popular artists in Morocco. She has fans everywhere, those who like international or oriental music. Her audience ranges from children who like what she does to adults. It is very rare to find an artist that could gather those various audiences around her," Daki said.
    Organisers of the festival have been criticised over perceived excessive fees paid to this year's performers. But that did not deter large crowds from flocking to the festival, open to the public free-of-charge.
    "Shakira is a big star. I've loved her since I was a kid. I dance like her and I want to watch her," one fan said at the festival.
    "The organisation was not perfect. We were not given the chance to go inside and appreciate the show as we should. The crowd was sent away, but despite this we had some good moments. We will watch the rest of the show on television," said another fan, after organisers turned away droves from the packed concert.
    Shakira concluded the eight-day Mawazine Festival, which brought together performers from 60 countries, including Kanye West, Lionel Ritchie and Youssou N'Dour.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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