Festival in the Desert

<p>The legendary Festival in the Desert first happened in Kidal in 1999. By 2003, when <em>Afropop Worldwide</em> attended, it was taking place in the middle of the Sahara in Essakane, outside of Timbuktu. It was a landmark year with members of the French band Lojo, prime movers for this festival, joined Robert Plant on stage. Afropop enjoyed a number of intimate "tent sessions" during the days and fantastic performance on the main stage at night. This program captures the magic of a hopeful time for the Tuareg people and the Malian north, one that seems far, far away today. <strong>Produced by Banning Eyre and Sean Barlow.</strong></p>