Alain Gomis: Dao–German Theatrical Release Premiere

Sonic Pluriverse Festival: Global Echoes of Gnawa
Concerts
26.6.–1.8.2026

Tickets available now at hkw.de/tickets
Concerts 24€ / reduced 20€ (Evening ticket) 
Admission is free for children aged 10 and under.

Summer on the HKW Rooftop Terrace: Sonic Pluriverse Festival celebrates Gnawa music as a transcultural sonic practice. 

In 2026, Sonic Pluriverse Festival brings the Gnawa tradition to Berlin. Rooted in West African histories of migration, diaspora, and transformation, Gnawa music is deeply intertwined with the Mediterranean region, while its Afro-diasporic resonances extend as far as Latin America and beyond. Curated by Alaa Zouiten, the festival approaches these connections not merely as encounters between musical styles, but as expressions of shared historical experiences that have unfolded in diverse musical and spiritual forms. These resonances continue to shape the present, calling forth new voices and alliances.  

Across five weekends, HKW’s Paulette Nardal rooftop terrace becomes a site of musical encounter. Each festival day opens with a Gnawa ensemble that sets the stage for further musical practices—from Flamenco and Tarantella to Desert Blues. Internationally renowned artists such as Baaba Maal and Vieux Farka Touré meet leading figures of Gnawa music including Majid Bekkas, Maalem Hassan Boussou, Mehdi Nassouli, and Gnawa Diffusion. At the same time, the festival foregrounds female perspectives, featuring artists such as Moonlight Benjamin, Asmaa Hamzaoui & Bnat Timbouktou, Yousra Mansour & Bab L’Bluz, Alessia Tondo, and Mariam Koné. 

Sonic Pluriverse Festival opens with a Gnawa parade from Tiergarten to HKW, led by Maalem Hicham Bilali & Black Koyo together with Berlin‑based communities from Flamenco and Afro‑diasporic traditions such as Candomblé, Voudou, and Santería. The festival’s preliminary conclusion takes shape in a Lila—a nocturnal musical and ritual format central to Gnawa culture. Maalem Mustapha Sam and Mqaddma Souad Ait Hammoud host this gathering at SAVVY Contemporary before Sonic Pluriverse Festival transitions on 1 August to Bwa Kayiman with the Garifuna Collective. 

With:
Aficionado Flamenco Moro, Aly Keïta, Asmaa Hamzaoui & Bnat Timbouktou, Baaba Maal & Daande Leñol, Bab L‘Bluz, Garifuna Collective, Gnawa Diffusion, Hassan Boussou, Hicham Bilali & Black Koyo, Justin Adams & Mauro Durante mit Alessia Tondo, Maalem Mustapha Sam & Mqaddma Souad, Majid Bekkas & Bassekou Kouyaté, Mehdi Nassouli, Moonlight Benjamin, Vieux Farka Touré and others.

Accreditation via: presse@hkw.de
Press photos via: hkw.de/pressphotos

Programm

Fri., 26.6.
17:00-19:15 Gnawa Parade & Concert: Hicham Bilali & Black Koyo among others
19:30–21:00 Vieux Farka Touré

Sat., 27.6.
19:00–20:00 Justin Adams & Mauro Durante with Alessia Tondo
20:30–22:00 Majid Bekkas & Bassekou Kouyaté

Thur., 2.7.
19:30–21:00 Baaba Maal & Daande Leñol 

Sat., 4.7.
18:00–19:00 Aficionado Flamenco Moro
19:15–20:00 Aly Keïta 
20:30–22:00 Hassan Boussou

Fri., 10.7.
19:30–21:00 Asmaa Hamzaoui & Bnat Timbouktou

Sat., 11.7.
19:00–20:15 Moonlight Benjamin
20:45–22:00 Bab L‘Bluz

Fri., 17.7. 
19:00–20:00 Mehdi Nassouli
20:30–22:00 Gnawa Diffusion
23:00–05:00 Lila with Maalem Mustapha Sam & Mqaddma Souad
Venue: SAVVY Contemporary, Reinickendorfer Straße 17, 13347 Berlin-Wedding

Sat., 1.8.
19:30–21:00 Garifuna Collective

Visiting Information

Opening Times
Wed.–Mon. 12:00–19:00

Free admission on Mondays and selected Sundays.  
Extended opening hours during evening programmes.
Current information about visiting and accessibility.

Childcare
HKW offers free childcare for many of its programmes. For further information visit hkw.de.

Webshop
HKW's webshop offers tickets, gift vouchers, publications, merchandise and other products.

Restaurant
Weltwirtschaft restaurant is open daily from 12:00. 

Contact

Maxie Fischer 
Head of Press and Communications 
Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) 
John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10 10557 
Berlin 
T: + 49 (0) 30 397 87 413 
presse@hkw.de