thesilkroadtoday
Granada, Spain — The Musical Documentation Centre of Granada hosted Noche Sahiliana 2026, an inspiring cultural gathering celebrating the enduring literary legacy of Es Sahili and the historical and cultural connections between Mali and Spain. The event brought together scholars, poets, musicians, and distinguished diplomatic representatives to honour a literary lineage spanning 680 years.
Ismael Diadié Haidara
The evening featured contributions from Ismael Diadié Haidara, President of the Fondo Kati; Reynaldo Fernández, a Granada-based musicologist; Ángel Bañuelos, Director of UNESCO Andalucía; and Rafael A. López de Guzmán of the University of Granada (UGR).
One of the highlights of the programme was the presentation of the anthology Sahiliana: 680 Years of Literary Lineage, a publication celebrating the continuity of a remarkable literary tradition and its contribution to the cultural dialogue between Africa and Europe.
Poetry played a central role in the celebration, with readings of works by Es Sahili alongside original poems by contemporary writers. The participating poets were Sofía Diadié Haidara, the last descendant of Es Sahili in Granada; Pedro Enríquez; Antonio Carbonell; José Manuel Darro; and María Carmen Ossa. Their readings brought historical voices into conversation with contemporary poetic expression, reaffirming literature’s power to preserve memory and connect generations.
The literary programme was enriched by musical performances from Suhail Serghini and Mohcin Bakksli, whose contributions added a distinctive artistic dimension to the evening and highlighted the shared cultural sensibilities linking different traditions.
The event was honoured by the presence of His Excellency Abdrahamane Baby, Ambassador of Mali to Spain, whose attendance underscored the importance of cultural diplomacy and the enduring bonds between Mali and Spain.
Noche Sahiliana 2026 offered more than a celebration of literary history. It served as a meeting point for cultural memory, poetry, music, and international friendship. Through the presentation of Sahiliana: 680 Years of Literary Lineage, the gathering reaffirmed the importance of preserving literary heritage while ensuring that its voices continue to resonate with new generations.
The organisers expressed their gratitude to all the speakers, poets, musicians, distinguished guests, and attendees whose participation made the event a memorable celebration of shared cultural heritage.
Sahiliana stands as a testament to the enduring power of literature to transcend borders, preserve collective memory, and build bridges between peoples and civilizations.
