Morocco becomes first Arab, African country honored at New York's SummerStage

Morocco will become the first Arab and African country to be honored with a dedicated evening at New York's renowned SummerStage Festival, as part of its 40th edition, on July 15 in Central Park.

Titled Morocco: From Dakhla to Casablanca, the free event is organized in partnership with Morocco's Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME) and Maroc Festivals, according to a press release.

The program will showcase the diversity of Morocco's contemporary music scene through performances by Hoba Hoba Spirit, Hamid El Kasri, Dakhla Casa Xpress, Mr ID and NDRK, highlighting genres ranging from Gnawa and Hassani music to rock, electronic and Saharan influences.

The event also forms part of the Maroc Festivals initiative, launched in 2012 to promote Moroccan artists on major international stages. In addition to performing, the artists will take part in professional networking sessions aimed at expanding their presence in the U.S. music industry.

According to the organizers, the event seeks to strengthen cultural ties between Morocco and the United States while showcasing the kingdom's vibrant and evolving artistic scene.