The 60th edition of the International Festival of Carthage welcomed Tunisian diva Amina Fakhet back to the Amphitheater of Carthage on Monday, August 17, 2026, marking her first appearance on the historic stage in eight years.
The highly anticipated evening was a celebration of Tunisian song, with Fakhet delivering what can only be described as a complete artistic experience where voice, music, movement, and staging converged to honor her status as a national icon.
From the opening notes, Fakhet established a warm atmosphere within the ancient amphitheater’s walls. True to the distinctive style and commanding stage presence that have influenced generations of Tunisian music lovers, the artist sang, danced, and shared numerous moments of connection with an audience that accompanied her throughout the evening.
For this grand return, the Tunisian diva was joined by the Orchestre National Tunisien under the direction of Youssef Belheni, whose arrangements added a distinctive musical dimension to the evening while highlighting the richness of Tunisia’s musical heritage.
Fakhet opened her performance with “Mazel Badri,” immediately setting a nostalgic tone. The audience responded enthusiastically from the first measures, warmly welcoming the artist and accompanying her initial interpretations.
Choreography played a significant role in the spectacle, designed as an integral component of the presentation that enhanced each tableau and reinforced the evening’s visual dimension. A particularly memorable moment came when Fakhet’s daughter, Molka Aouij, took the stage as choreographer, performing alongside her mother during two songs.
The diva also performed several songs that have marked generations of Tunisians, including “Soltan Hobbak,” “Aljbin Asaba,” “Wala Mara,” and “Ala Allah.” These timeless classics, part of the audience’s musical memory, were sung in unison by spectators, testament to Fakhet’s unique place in Tunisia’s musical landscape.
However, the evening wasn’t purely retrospective. Fakhet surprised her audience with three new songs, enriching a repertoire already distinguished by numerous hits. These new compositions demonstrated that her return to Carthage was not merely nostalgic but also forward-looking, embracing new creative directions.
The special relationship between Amina Fakhet and her audience was once again evident throughout the evening. Through collective singalongs, applause, and moments of dialogue with spectators, the diva rediscovered a connection that transcends the typical artist-audience relationship, transforming the Amphitheater of Carthage into a genuine space of shared experience.
This return after eight years took the form of a true celebration of Tunisian song, with Fakhet reconnecting to Carthage through a generous and complete spectacle, supported by the Orchestre National Tunisien and staging that prominently featured choreography.
With this performance, Amina Fakhet once again confirmed the singularity of her artistic presence and her ability to transform each public appearance into a moment of sharing, emotion, and celebration.
The 60th edition of the International Festival of Carthage will conclude on August 19, 2026, featuring Arab music icon, Lebanese singer Majeda Roumi, for the closing night.
TunisianMonitorNews
