From 2001 and until last year the Festival au Desert – Desert Festival – has been a significant cultural event in Mali, focused on Tuareg music and desert blues. The festival has attracted artists, audiences and media from around the world. Until the violent conflict in the country made ​​it impossible to continue. Now, Clandestino Festival has the great honor of presenting a one day version of the same festival in exile, on our home turf in Gothenburg:

LE FESTIVAL AU DESERT IN EXILE on November 7
Musikens Hus, Djurgårdsgatan 13 , Gothenburg. Opens 18:30. | Tickets are sold at the door

* FILM: THE LAST SONG BEFORE THE WAR
Magic live performances under the starry Sahara night sky frame this tale of desert festival – a struggle against political and economic difficulties – as told by founder Manny Ansar. We also get to meet artists and visitors during the 2011 edition. | Read more

* TALKS: ALMOU ANSAR
Almou Ansar is one of the founders of the desert festival. He will be interviewed on stage by Lars Lovén, freelance journalist and music critic, specializing on contemporary African music. | Read more

* CONCERT: VIEUX FARKA TOURÉ
His new album “Mon Pays” is a tribute to his homeland Mali in light of the recent conflict. “For me, the songs make up a statement that this country belongs to Mali’s sons and daughters, not Al Qaeda and other militant organizations. This country stands for peace and beauty, rich culture and tolerance. It is our heritage, which we must always defend so best we can – for me, that means to make music that reminds the world about who we are.” On stage around 21:30. | Read more