SAHARAN NIGHTS OF ESSOUK - A JOURNEY TO THE HEART OF TOUAREG CULTURE | FLY

An unforgettable journey to the heart of the Touareg desert and TINARIWEN’s only desert festival appearance in 2006

The Festival in the Desert at Essakane near Timbuktu has become justifiably renowned (see www.festival-au-desert.org) But what is less well known is that there are MANY festivals in the desert. One of the rootsiest and most entrancing takes place in the ancient ruined city of Essouk, north of Kidal in the far northeast of Mali.

Under the title of ‘The Saharan Nights of Essouk’, the Essouk Festival was started by a group of local Touareg leaders, including musicians from Tinariwen, in order to promote their native Adrar des Iforas region. This remote mountain range is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich parts of the Sahara.

The Festival wil take place over three days in a beautiful desert plain, surrounded by the dark hills of the Adrar, not far from the ruined city of Essouk. The line-up of attractions gives pride of place to desert musicians and artists. Groups from Libya, Algeria, Niger and other parts of Mali will be there. There will also be musicians and street performers from France. Tinariwen will be performing on each night of the Festival. This is their only desert festival appearance in 2006.

The music forms only a part of the attraction of the Festival. Also featured will be camel parades, traditional tinde drum sessions, debates, workshops, hockey on sand, a crafts fair and a tent village.

And to top it all ADMISSION IS FREE.

Essouk puts an emphasis on simplicity, tradition, hospitality and pride in desert culture.

For more information go to www.kidal.info/ESSOUK (the pages are in French but English information will be added shortly).

CONTACT:
Ms Nina Walet Intalou (President) festivessouk@yahoo.fr
Mr Aboubacrine Ag Rhissa (Representative in France) info@akassa.org

FOR CHEAP FLIGHTS TO MALI:
Point Afrique www.point-afrique.fr
Go Voyages www.govoyages.com

ACCREDITED LOCAL TOUR COMPANIES:
Touareg Tours info@touaregtours.com
Contact: Natascha Farenxena +223 6 19 99 29
Affala Voyages cheikh@affala.com
Contact: Cheikh +223 6 08 32 94

For an English information sheet on the Essouk Festival, with details about the event, the programme, travel in Mali, visas, health etc etc, please email andy.morgan@apartment22.com and write ‘MORE INFORMATION’ in the Subject Box of your mail header

hello andy,

Two years ago I was with my daughter in Essakane and it was an unforgettable experience. In the mean time I met a lot of Touaregs of mali and niger, so I got very much interested in Touareg culture. This year again I will visit Essakane again, but i will try to get in essouk before that with a few malian friends who have never been in Essouk or Kidal. We all love to come there. We will come by public transport. So please give us all the information you can give us. Thanking you and hoping to see you in Essouk !

Dear folks, dear Sirs,
I will miss this year,s event. I hope to be there in 2007. Is it permitted to take pictures>
I am from the Netherland Antilles off the coast of Venezuela. An island in the Caribean Sea./
Take care and we will meet later in Essouk
Osric Curiel Curacao Netherland Antilles\South America

i’m looking to get to this festival in 2008… I am sure i will be going with a friend. but he might pull out!
Does anyone know of a good tour company in Mali (or not) and I am travelling from Tanzania.

Thanks
Kim