In every village in Africa, there is a space dedicated to meeting, exchange, and the transmission of knowledge. In the shadow of the Talking Tree, this traditional meeting place, people gather to speak of social life, village concerns, politics. 

It is this spirit – which corresponds so clearly with the Festival’s philosophy – that we seek to recreate and which has over the years become one of the highlights of the Essaouira Gnaoua and World Music Festival. A relaxed space for discussion where artists, musicians, journalists and festivalgoers join in an artistic conversation. 

Located at the heart of the medina on the terrace of the Institut Français, the Talking Tree offers a pleasant interlude between concerts, when artists, cultural advocates, Gnaoua and musicians come together to share and exchange freely with festivalgoers. The is animated every year by its founder, Emmanuelle Honorin, journalist and world music expert for Geo magazine.