Tunisia launches 44th Carthage International Festival

17/07/2008

One of Africa and the Arab world's longest-running arts festivals is now under way in Carthage. Organisers are offering a lineup of international concerts, plays and films through mid-August.

By Mona Yahya for Magharebia in Tunis – 17/07/08

[Mona Yahya] The 44th Carthage International Festival placed the spotlight on Tunisian youth during the opening performance. Spectators praised the show, although some said it portrayed youth as caring "only about having fun".

Tunisia welcomed arts fans for the 44th season of the month-long Carthage International Festival on Friday (July 11th). One of oldest art festivals in Africa and the Arab world, the event will showcase 1,000 artists in 66 shows highlighting music, singing, drama, dance and cinema. Dozens of films will be screened for what organisers expect to be a large audience.

The festival's opening performance, "Gathering and Gaiety", depicted scenes from the daily lives of Tunisians, highlighting habits and traditions such as wedding and circumcision ceremonies. It also reflected young people's energy and their passion for fun and adventure.

Tunisian director Bechir Idris included rustic and ballet dancers, the Tunisian National Band for Folklore Arts and students from the National School for Circus Arts in the exciting performance.

"The opening show was fabulous," said spectator Wahid Mezlini. "I haven't seen a similar one in Carthage for years. The director was able to easily reflect the speed of life and traditions of Tunisians, especially young people."

Idris said he designed the spectacle to reflect Tunisian youths' ambitions and openness to other cultures and civilizations. The show was different from those of past seasons, people said, pointing out that Idris chose good music and offered an appealing and contemporary artistic framework.

"I think that the director was able to capture the audience," Meriam told Magharebia.

Some in the audience, however, did not like the use of popular poetry in the performance. While it was probably meant to bridge the gap between the past and the present, people said the poetic interludes did not work in harmony with the overall theme of the piece.

"I don't think that the director was successful in using the popular poetry in the middle of the show. It was a drawback," said Kerima. The student also told Maghrebia that she did not like the director's portrayal of Tunisian youth as being passionate only about having fun.

"I was expecting to see more important and profound youth issues, but I didn't find that. The show was beautiful, but it didn't address the issues of interest to the youth," she commented.

The theme of the opening show highlighted the country's focus on its young people this year. The Tunisian Government has billed 2008 as the "Year of Dialogue with Youth", conducting many conferences and social dialogues to identify issues important to Tunisian youth and to develop a charter to address their needs.

In the coming weeks, the festival's a rich and varied program is likely to please fans of both traditional and modern artistic interpretations. The Carthage event will also stage concerts from Tunisian stars such as Mohamed Jebali, Latifa Arfoui, Saber Rebai and Amina Fakhet. Arab and international performers include Marouane Khouri, Angham, Youssou N'dour, Gerard Lenorman, Sean Paul and Amel Bent.

Cinema lovers will be able to view films including "La Mome" (France), "Good Night and Good Luck" ( USA ), and "El Jazira" ( Egypt ). "Mwaswas", a Tunisian adaptation of Moliere's "Malade Imaginaire" staged by Mohamed Driss and "Khamsoun", the latest creation of Jalila Baccar and Fadhel Jaibi, are among the theatre performances.

The Carthage International Film Festival runs until August 17th.