Star Academy Maghreb plans try-outs for Libya, Mauritania
2009-11-25
"It's not fair to deny any young Maghreb man or woman the chance to participate in the contest," a Nessma TV executive said of plans to delay Star Academy Maghreb.
By Jamel Arfaoui for Magharebia in Tripoli – 25/11/09
 [Jamel Arfaoui] Notices announcing auditions for the hit show Star Academy Maghreb can be seen across the region. |
Star Academy Maghreb will postpone its competition in order to conduct auditions in Libya and Mauritania, as well as Maghreb communities in Europe, according to the hit TV show's producers.
"Nessma TV decided to postpone the start date of the show to the first quarter of next year" to recruit the largest possible number of young talents from areas not included in previous Star Academy auditions, according to a press statement released by the channel on November 19th.
The new round of auditions will begin next month. Contrary to previous statements, Nessma TV sources did not rule out the possibility that more than 15 candidates would take part in the competition.
The final contest will now be broadcast in March. Nessma TV executive Nabil Karoui said the new start date was better because it would come "after the African Nations Cup finals and before the World Cup finals".
Several developments led to the last-minute postponement of the show and the decision to open up try-outs to other Maghreb countries, Karoui said at a November 20th press conference.
"Several Libyan and Mauritanian institutions have expressed their desire for Libyan and Mauritanian youth to participate in this event," said Karoui, adding that the addition of these two countries would complete the "Maghreb picture".
"It's not fair to deny any young Maghreb man or woman the chance to participate in the contest," the sponsor said.
Karoui also reassured fans that auditions for expat Maghreb performers would not be limited to France, as happened last year. The producers will expand their search to other European and American nations to find potential Star Academy Maghreb participants.
The inclusion of competitors from Libya and Mauritania won't be the only change coming to this year's Star Academy Maghreb. Producers have moved to a studio which accommodates up to 500 audience members, while the old studio only held 80.
In other Star Academy news, Magharebia has learned that Algerian jazz musician Safy Boutella has been hired as the show's artistic director.
Fans of the televised competition are excited about the changes.
"I think [delaying the show to hold wider auditions] is a wise decision," said Star Academy fan Faten Yahiaoui. "It wouldn't be reasonable to call a program a 'Maghreb' one, and then deny participation to youths from two countries in the Maghreb."
Yahiaoui wondered why Mauritanians were excluded from last year's competition, and why Libyans were excluded from the current one until Thursday.
"I don't think it has anything to do with politics – rather, it may have been due to financial or technical reasons," Yahiaoui said.
Saifedine Mehouachi, a Tunisian, was eager to see new cultures represented on the show.
"It's an opportunity for me as a Tunisian to get to know Mauritanian youths, who we don't know much about, especially in the field of art," he said. "I want to know how they think and talk. It's a chance for me and people like me, who are curious."
Star Academy enthusiast Seham Twiri said the changes demonstrate Maghreb unity.
"We need to get together through Nessma TV and its Star Academy Maghreb to say, to whom it may concern, that the people of the Greater Maghreb have something interesting to offer," said the fan.
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القماطى Posted 2009-11-25
It's good that Nessma remembered Libyans, in the end. Even if it calls on the Arab Maghreb, it marginalises Libya and Mauritania, even if Libyans are the first beneficiaries from Libya. Libyan goods are in Tunisia and Tunisian goods are in Libya. Libyans aren't stupid Tunisians. We see Tunisian attempts to marginalise Libya. We don't need you.
القماطى من بنغازى Posted 2009-11-27
We want Egyptians to determine whether they are Arabs or Pharaohs. If they are Pharaohs, the holy Quran didn't glorify them, because they were infidels who were drowned by God the Almighty in the sea because they were oppressors. The word "Pharaohs" was bad and odious. We aren't honoured to be brothers of Pharaohs the infidels. Jamal Abdel Nasser was Arab. If you were Arabs, suffice it that the hero Jamal Abdel Nasser was Arab. He wasn't a Pharaoh when he ruled Egypt.
خالد Posted 2009-12-01
We hope that the Egyptian brothers will join the Maghreb Union and not the Eastern Union. Don't irritate us or we will be angry with you until the Day of Judgment. Most Egyptians are Pharaohs. Some of them are genuine Egyptians. To the genuine people of Egypt (enjoy it us) or we will cast on you a conjuration like Pharaohs.
ليبو مشواشي تحنوا مكاي Posted 2009-12-09
First of all, long live Libya, whose civilisation has lasted for thousands of years. Libya, the origin. Herodotus wrote that the territory of Libya extends from West of the Nile to Mauritania. These words are addressed to the Maghrebia propaganda site. I have visited your site many times but unfortunately I haven't found a single time that your site was really fair and Maghreb. You are a selective site. The site should have been called the Tunisian, Algerian and Moroccan site. Even in the weather forecast we don't find Tripoli, Benghazi or Mauritania. Please change the name of the site. I suggest to you the name “Tugerocco”. Long live Libya and the people of Libya grandsons of Chachinaq. By the way, we don't need your [Star Academy] Maghreb.
ليبي وافتخر Posted 2009-12-09
First of all, I would like to say to Nessma channels we don't want you as Libyans. Your policy is very clearly marginalisation, as if we did't belong to the Arab Maghreb. I would like to add that when the channel was launched, it had a wide audience. But as a result of your stupid and irresponsible policy, the channel has no popularity in Libya. As for the Star Academy show, I would like to say that in its first edition, Libyans had a role in its success. The Maghreb citizen can judge the sincerity of my words. Therefore, I say that it is not because you care for Libyans or Mauritanians, you just want to achieve success, no more, no less. Finally, as a channel, you're not welcome in Libya. You should learn good manners and respect for the viewer and also for the discontent and nudity we see on the channel. Every event will have its comment. Salam.
صقر المحبه Posted 2009-12-11
By God I wished to be a star but no voice. God willing someone better from the Maghreb God willing Libya.
slim touhami Posted 2009-12-12
Hi. I am Slim, 22. I would like to participate in the starac.
ali Posted 2009-12-15
I wish success to all students. God willing, the star will be Algerian, never mind if it is someone else.
nihlan Posted 2009-12-17
Wishes of success to all candidates in the Star Academy. Wishes of success to me, as well, because I will take part in the Star Academy show this year.
حامد / ليبيا / بنغازى Posted 2009-12-19
First of all, I am one of the admirers of Nessma channel. I think that it competes with other Arab channels. It's good that it is broadcast from the Arab Maghreb; it has a special feature in its excellent music shows. I hope that Nessma channel brings something new and in nice Rai songs. You have wide popularity in Libya. I hope you will present live concerts. This is not my opinion alone, but the opinion of many young people. We wish you success and progress, and new, new, new works.
الوافى من ليبيا Posted 2009-12-19
Star Academy should unite not divide the Arab Maghreb countries: Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania. It should also respect the fine traditions and customs which are distinct for our Maghreb countries and focus on our Arabic language, the language that unites us in religion and history. On Nessma TV, for example, you find that they speak French even if all present parties and viewers are Arab. Even in songs, they sing in French, even though the Arab Maghreb has fine tunes. Finally, return to our history - by God, it's an honourable history - in order to gain the respect of the other world.
tunisian Posted 2009-12-23
maghreb is only tunisia algeria morroco. please nessma we don't want libya and mauritania in star academy maghreb. thanks
تونسي Posted 2009-12-23
In reply to the first comment of Guemati and others, what is the relationship between goods, relations and a private channel whose objective is commercial? It chooses the direction of the closest countries in the region, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and their communities abroad, estimated at over 10 million immigrants - this is the equivalent of double the number of residents of Libya. The logic of doing business imposes on it the use of the French language to attract them, because it would have to be Arabized to address Libya. But this means losing the Maghreb audience in Europe and rancophones in North Africa. There is something else important: Libyan society is very conservative compared with thos of other countries. Therefore, the channel would have to change its policy altogether. Therefore, I am against the participation of Libyans and Mauritanians in Star Academy and Nessma. As for the culturally and historically Greater Maghreb, it is comprised of Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco alone. If you don't appreciate my words, you can boycott Tunisian products, lol.
احمد الصبراتي Posted 27 days ago
I want you to tell us on Nessma the date of Libyan casting. Thank you for your efforts. With wishes of success to everyone.
syrina selmi Posted 25 days ago
Please, I would like to know how to participate in this programme. –Thank you so much
ibrahim Posted 24 days ago
The Arab Maghreb channel (Nessma) is a shiny name with bad content. Instead of deepening the Arabic language, it is operating in French. This reflects the dependency on France (even though [France] ignored the request of Tunisia and Algeria to acknowledge the historical mistake of occupation, following the example of Italy). It is not an issue of language. We speak English (widespread) and Italian, but we are proud of our Arab origins and language. Therefore, we don't choose a language other than Arabic. By the way, I have full knowledge about Tunisia, the way it avoids Arabic and uses French. This doesn't reflect self-respect, but rather shows dependency. We are the grandchildren of Omar Al Mokhtar, more importantly than Italy, France and Britain. I don't know if you've understood what I wrote or not.
ليبيه وافتخر Posted 20 days ago
First of all, I greet all my Libyan brothers especially Guetami who expressed his opinion honestly. I agree with him in everything he said. As to Ali Tounsi, it is one of our features not to know to anyone. We don't need your assessment of us. Because we are happy to be the grandsons of Omar El Mokhtar. To comment about your statement that the Great Maghreb is only Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco only. I say, you should be honoured by Libya to be with you. But we aren't happy to be with you. We are free Libyans. We have a long history. Even our enemies acknowledge our glories and culture which has no limits. But we are proud of our Arab language. If you see that culture is to speak the language of the enemy, we see this as cowardice and not culture. Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you.
سوسو Posted 19 days ago
Libya alone and the rest are rambling.
محمد من ليبيا Posted 19 days ago
If Libya is far from Tunisia, why do we find Tunisian artists sing Libyan songs including the late Zikra, Latifa, Lotfi Bouchnaq, Aliaa Belaid, Nawal Ghacham and many others? Tunisian say that Libya is not Maghreb? We ask the Libyan government to close borders with Tunisia. We aren't Maghreb. Libya is a rich country. It doesn't need you. You will see Libya in coming years become a very developed country in urbanization, economy and politics, God willing. Let you in your francophoneness Tunisians. You will regret it when Libya closes the border. This is a request to Seif Al Islam Al Qadhafi.
رد على التونسي Posted 12 days ago
You say Libyans don't speak languages. Smart guy, most Libyans speak English, Italian, there are also many Libyans who speak French and other languages. So ignorant, if your small-sized Tunisia were distributed among Libyans, they would have filled it historically and returned to the land of their forefathers and your country would have become empty on your heads. You and every Tunisian know this. If you travel Tunisia from the East to the West, you will find names like Tarabolssi, Gharyani, Ben Yedder, Terhouni and many Libyan families in Tunisia. By the way, they are the ones who turn the wheel of the economy of your country, not you. A question, shall we say the Libyan Tunisia? Answer: in Libya, we don't want you. The name Tunisian here means backwardness and wasting time. O ignorant .. O Tunisian *** Long live Libya .. The land of glory O ignorant .. O Tunisian *** Long live Libya .. the land of glory. Try to find someone to translate for you ignorant Tunisian. We ask the Libyan brothers to boycott Magharebia site and boycott Tunisians.
ليبيه وافتخر Posted 12 days ago
First of all, my greetings to all my Libyan brothers. Secondly, in reply to the Tunisian who said that the Maghreb is the culture and history of Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria alone, I tell him are you proud of what happens in Lebanon? The program of destination and fate. Is this the history you are proud of? Tunisian girls have made wars and battles just to find a young man who would accept them. They are criticizing their country in front of cameras and in front of people. So if you are proud of this, we are ashamed of belonging to the Arab Maghreb because as you said, we are a conservative society. We are proud of this because it is very shameful that two girls from the same country fight and wage war just to win a young man from another country. If this is what you are proud of, we are proud of our country and our young people. We don't want to belong to the Arab Maghreb because you have made us shameful.
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