Tunisia plans summer season full of festivals

03/07/2009

From Charles Aznavour and Warda in Carthage, to theatre spectacles in Hammamet and small classical music concerts, hundreds of summer festival season events offer something for every Tunisian taste.

By Mona Yahya for Magharebia in Tunis – 03/07/09

[Fethi Belaid/AFP/Getty Images] Tunisian singer Saber Rebai is one of many other renowned singers who will headline this year's Carthage International Festival.

Cities all over Tunisia are preparing to host more than 300 festivals over the next two months. People are excited. Even though the summer holidays coincide with the holy month of Ramadan in late August and all the related expenses, Tunisians are ready to party.

"After a year of hard work and the pressures of work and study", said Soha, a student, "one must find one’s rest on the beach, in picnics, and especially in the summer festivals."

The first event is the 45th Carthage International Festival, kicking of next Thursday (July 9th). Organisers already secured several music icons to participate in the festival, including Saber Rebai, Warda Al-Jazairia, Cheb Khalid, Fadhl Shaker, Marcel Khalifa, Melhim Barakat and Sherin Abdelwahab.

Carthage fans will also enjoy the music of renowned French singer Charles Aznavour. The legendary performer will appear in concert on July 21st. His show has the priciest ticket: about 67 dinars. Aznavour was reportedly paid $600,000 for his appearance.

"Aznavour’s presence in Tunisia is an opportunity that I can’t possibly miss," said fan Moez Massmoudi, "even if the ticket is expensive".

"Summer is for joy and amusement," said Omar. He said the cost will not affect the family's budget. "Most of the Tunisian families prepare ahead for these summer events."

As Ramadan nears, many people wait eagerly for the month's special events. Music, cultural and religious festivals abound. Tunisians will have a choice of indoor and outdoor entertainment all month long.

"Each festival has its own peculiarities," said Dorra. "However, in the summer, I still prefer open-air theatres."

There are more than 300 cultural events in Tunisia , from jazz and Maalouf to theatre performances at the Hammamat International Festival.

"This year, we were keen to diversify the theatrical and musical shows to accommodate different tastes," said event director Assad ben Abdallah.