On Marche 2026: Marrakech Moves to the Rhythm of Contemporary Dance During Ramadan

From March 6 to 14, 2026, Marrakech will once again become a global stage for movement and artistic dialogue as the 19th edition of the On Marche International Festival of Contemporary Dance returns to the Red City. This year’s edition holds a special resonance as it unfolds entirely during the month of Ramadan, placing spirituality, sharing, and collective reflection at the heart of its programming.

A Festival Under the Sign of Spirituality and Sharing

For its 19th edition, On Marche embraces the deeper meaning of Ramadan by exploring the connection between dance and spirituality. Conceived as a space where body and soul intersect, the festival highlights how contemporary dance can become both a personal journey and a collective celebration.

Under the artistic direction of Taoufiq Izeddiou, a pioneer of contemporary dance in Morocco, this edition reflects on dance as an act of necessity rather than decoration. Movement becomes a language of contemplation, listening, and slowing down, echoing the essence of the sacred month. The festival also serves as a symbolic bridge toward its 20th anniversary in 2027, marking a major milestone for Morocco’s contemporary dance scene.

Marrakech as a Crossroads of Creation

For nine days, Marrakech transforms into a vibrant territory of creation and exchange. Performances, masterclasses, workshops, film screenings, and multidisciplinary encounters take place across key cultural venues including the Institut Français de Marrakech, the Es Saadi Marrakech Resort, and the Centre Culturel Les Étoiles de Jemaa el Fna.

The official opening features La Terre en transe, a powerful choreographic work performed by twelve dancers. After touring internationally, the production returns to Marrakech, reinforcing the city’s position as a central platform for contemporary choreography in North Africa.

When Iftar Becomes a Cultural Dialogue

One of the most distinctive aspects of On Marche during Ramadan is the “Artistes à table” gatherings. Each evening at the time of breaking the fast, artists and audiences share iftar while engaging in conversations about creation, spirituality, and the role of art in society.

These intimate moments extend beyond performance. They create meaningful exchanges between dancers, choreographers, visual artists, and the public, often followed by live performances or film screenings. In this context, iftar becomes more than a meal. It becomes a ritual of connection and artistic reflection.

Dance on Screen and in the Medina

The festival also expands into cinema with the “Danses en Images” program, presenting a curated selection of films that explore rituals, identity, and the journeys of contemporary choreographers. Through this cinematic lens, audiences discover new perspectives on movement and storytelling.

In addition, for the fifth consecutive year, an open air photography exhibition dedicated to dance is installed throughout the medina and its surroundings. More than twenty works transform public spaces into visual galleries, allowing dance to inhabit the city in unexpected ways.

Spain in the Spotlight and a Strong Moroccan Presence

This edition places Spain in focus through a special collaboration that strengthens Euro Mediterranean artistic dialogue. Spanish musicians and choreographers join the lineup with performances that bridge traditions and contemporary expression.

At the same time, Moroccan choreographers occupy a central place in the programming. The festival remains committed to highlighting the vitality and diversity of Morocco’s dance scene while welcoming companies from France, Mozambique, Mali, Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt. This international openness reinforces On Marche as a meeting point between cultures.

Supporting the Next Generation

Beyond performances, On Marche continues its mission of transmission and professional development through TAKLÎF, a creation support program dedicated to emerging Moroccan choreographers and artists from the diaspora. Selected finalists receive guidance, artistic residencies, and opportunities to present their first choreographic works both in Morocco and abroad.

The program is part of a broader initiative called Nafass, considered one of the first structured training frameworks for choreographic arts in Morocco. Workshops in technique, choreography, dramaturgy, interpretation, administration, and cultural management strengthen the professional ecosystem around contemporary dance.

Among the highlights, a children’s opera titled Le Sel des étoiles offers young audiences an immersive artistic experience, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to education and transmission.

A Festival That Breathes With the World

More than a cultural event, On Marche has become an essential rendezvous for the Moroccan and international choreographic scene. In 2026, its alignment with Ramadan gives it renewed depth and symbolic strength.

In Marrakech, dance becomes dialogue, contemplation, and shared breath. For nine days, the city moves in harmony with a rhythm that blends artistic creation and spirituality, confirming On Marche as one of the most important contemporary dance festivals in Morocco and beyond.