date of publication:
August 23, 2022 16:59 GMT
Update date: August 23 2022 17:50 GMT
The return of the Carthage International Festival, the largest Tunisian summer event, following two years of absence, raised questions regarding whether it had lost its luster, given the controversy and criticism raised by the artistic performances.
And “Carthage International”, which was absent from the “Corona” pandemic, returned with a program that followers say that it “sought to meet everyone’s tastes, even if this led to abuse of the festival and its history, according to some.”
Tunisian artist Rabih bin Ibrahim said, “There is a desire among people to rush towards attendance and joy, and that the public turnout for the festival’s performances was unusual and large.”
Bin Ibrahim added to “Erm News”, “People have gone through a difficult period during the last period, which they expressed in a state of thirst to go out and follow artistic performances.”
He pointed out that “Carthage is a festival with a great history, but it is a summer festival, and this requires an aspect of entertainment.”
He continued, “That is, the festival was not once dedicated to theater only or to classical music and big names, but rather an event that tries to satisfy all tastes because it is for all Tunisians.”
“Unfortunate Deals”
For her part, writer Ismahan Al-Obeidi saw that “the return of the Carthage Festival following an absence, bet, in large part, on Tunisian production.”
Al-Obaidi added to “Erm News” that “the festival was not successful in several shows, such as the opening show (Nuba), which was accompanied by a great media aura due to the success of the series, from which the show was inspired.”
And she continued, “But on stage, the show might not live up to the expectations of the Carthage audience.”
She pointed out that “among the successful performances, the Syrian artist Nour Muhanna presented, although it is nothing new, and has not been produced for years, but his performance was wonderful, as well as the presentation of Saber Al-Rubai, who is almost contracted with the Carthage Festival, which is characterized by his permanent presence.”
And she added, “On the other hand, the Egyptian actress Sherine’s presentation was disappointing, as she was psychologically unbalanced and her performance was accompanied by a lot of cacophony.”
“Less Duration”
In turn, art critic Naziha Al-Ghadbani said, “It would have been better for the festival’s managing body to reduce its duration, given that the session is exceptional, provided that the performances are carefully selected in a way that takes into account the status of this cultural edifice.”
She added to “Erm News” that “some performances were like family nights, and that some artists did not respect the festival and its value, including major shows, and that the privilege was for Tunisian art and the presence of the Tunisian artist, and showed that the festival has its audience and the Tunisian artist has his place.”
And she continued: “The Carthage Festival not only lost its luster in this session, but also deviated from its line for years, especially when it took a commercial turn and bet on commercial-oriented shows.”
And she considered that “the current session did not rise to a great level, with the exception of Nour Muhanna’s show or Alpha Blondie’s show.”
