Nelson Mandela Fes - Arab Today The 20th Fes festival of the world sacred music, to be held from next June 13 to 21 will pay tribute to Nelson Mandela, the first African president of post-apartheid south Africa who passed away lately at 95. This year’s festival, themed, “conference of birds, when cultures travel ” will feature a much-awaited concert of Youssou Ndour and Johnny Clegg in the mythical Bab Makina square. Youssou Ndour is Senegalese singer, percussionist, songwriter, composer, occasional actor, businessman and a politician. In 2004, Rolling Stone described him as, “perhaps the most famous singer alive” in Senegal and much of Africa. He has been holding since 1985 a mega concert in Dakar for the release of Mandela. Johnny Clegg has always linked his music to the anti-apartheid struggle. The famous Fes Forum will debate aspects of Mandela’s personality as a militant and politician. The African leader will also be present in the Batha museum for a debate titled “Is a Mandela possible in the Middle east?” Source: MAP