Arab voices converged on the stage of Carthage on Monday evening, September 21, as the 26th edition of the Arab Radio and Television Festival officially opened, bringing together prominent artistic and media figures from across the Arab world. Running through September 24, this year’s festival is held under the theme “The Pulse of the Image and the Echo of the Future.”
The festival chose an artistic celebration to open its new edition, bringing together Iraqi singer Rahma Riad, making her second appearance in Tunisia following her participation in the Carthage International Festival in 2022, and Syrian singer Nassif Zeytoun, who returned to the Carthage stage for the seventh time. The evening was hosted by Tunisian media personality Farah Ben Rajeb and Egyptian presenter Yasmin Taha Zaki, in the presence of Tunisian Minister of Cultural Affairs Amina Srarfi, alongside ambassadors, diplomatic representatives and prominent figures from the artistic and media communities.
Honoring Figures Who Shaped the Arab Cultural Memory
The opening ceremony was more than a musical celebration, beginning with a tribute to a number of figures whose careers have left a lasting mark on Arab cinema, television, theatre and media.
As part of the opening tributes, Arab States Broadcasting Union President Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harthi honored Tunisian Minister of Cultural Affairs Amina Srarfi in recognition of the ministry’s efforts and the contribution of its staff to supporting the organization and success of the festival. The Union’s Director-General Abdulrahim Suleiman also took part in honoring a number of distinguished guests of the 26th edition.
The list of honorees brought together artists and media personalities from across the Arab world, including Egyptian actresses Wafaa Amer and Bushra, and actor Mohamed Tharwat; Kuwaiti actor Mohammed Al-Mansour; Omani actress Samira Al-Wahaibi; Syrian actress Abeer Shamseddine and actor Mohammed Al-Khawandi; Lebanese actor Bassem Moughnieh; Iraqi actress Alaa Hussein; Mauritanian filmmaker Mohamed Salem Ould Dendo; and Comorian sports journalist Houssameddine Ahmed.
Tunisia also had a prominent presence among the honorees, with the festival celebrating actress Latifa Al-Qafsi. She was warmly received by the audience in recognition of a career spanning drama, comedy, theatre and cinema, establishing her as one of the familiar faces of Tunisia’s artistic memory.
Rahma Riad Returns to the Carthage Stage
Following the tributes, the evening moved into its musical programme with Iraqi singer Rahma Riad, who returned to the Tunisian audience through the iconic Carthage stage, expressing her happiness at performing once again at one of the Arab world’s most renowned venues.
Riad performed a selection of her best-known songs, including “Kalam Al Hob,” “Al Kawkab” and “Ta’al Khabbik,” alongside several Arab songs that have accompanied her artistic career and resonated with the audience. Her set also featured “Sallamtak Bi Yad Allah,” “Tal’a Min Beit Abuha” and Fadel Shaker’s “Ma’oul.” She paid a special tribute to Tunisian music with a performance of “Ya Lala,” which drew an enthusiastic response from the audience.
Nassif Zeytoun Marks His Seventh Appearance at Carthage
The second part of the evening belonged to Syrian singer Nassif Zeytoun, who took to the Carthage stage for the seventh time, presenting a selection of songs from across his career.
Zeytoun performed several of his popular hits, including “Tikka,” “Moush Am Tebat,” “Kada W Kodoud,” “Kazdoura,” “Ya Gharami,” “Bel Ahlam,” “Baddi Yaha,” “Ta’a Nerjaa,” “Majbour,” “Sho Helou” and “Ma Waddaatek,” prompting strong interaction from the Tunisian audience.
Collaboration was also part of the evening, as Zeytoun and Rahma Riad reunited on stage to perform “Ma Fi Leil,” their 2024 collaboration, in one of the night’s most memorable moments.
Zeytoun also paid a special musical tribute to Tunisia by performing “Asl Al Zein Fil Ainin” by the late Tunisian artist Mohamed Jamoussi, revisiting a song deeply rooted in the country’s musical memory. His participation concluded with a tribute presented by Arab States Broadcasting Union President Mohammed bin Fahd Al-Harthi.
The 26th edition of the Arab Radio and Television Festival thus opened with a celebration of music and artistic diversity, bringing together artists and experiences from different generations across the Arab world. The festival’s upcoming programme will turn its attention to the evolving landscape of radio, television and media, exploring the transformations shaping the sector under its overarching theme, “The Pulse of the Image and the Echo of the Future.”
TunisianMonitorNews (Douha Essaafi)
