Beyond the Stage: A New Strategic Vision
The 11th edition of the Carthage Musical Days, scheduled for October 5-9, is redefining its role by moving beyond traditional concert presentations. Artistic Director Mounser Fellah stated that the festival will serve as a space for critical thinking about music rather than merely a venue for performances. Out of 378 applications received, the committee selected 26 projects, comprising 60 percent Tunisian initiatives and 40 percent international acts from 15 countries. The selection criteria prioritize emerging artists with potential for international development and include opportunities for musicians with disabilities.
Professionalization and Technological Discourse
The festival aims to function as a professional salon where musicians connect with producers, programmers, and institutions. This approach seeks to transform the event into a career milestone for artists rather than just a stop on a performance calendar. The intellectual program features six sessions addressing film scoring, artistic pathways, and stage direction for musical shows. A significant focus is placed on the intersection of artificial intelligence and music, featuring participants Sami Ben Saïd and Ziad Madb El Hamrouni, moderated by Ahmed Amine Ezozzi. These discussions examine how technology impacts content creation, distribution, and the future of creative professions.
Education and Social Outreach
Training becomes integral to the lineup through a jazz workshop involving theoretical and practical components. Led by Mehdi Aziz, Matthieu Fabre, Johan Godfroy, and Grémin Martinez, the session draws on the Marseille Jazz Collective experience and hosts thirty musicians. In a historic move, the festival will enter prison facilities for the first time via the “Nafas: Rhythm of Freedom” project, in partnership with the General Directorate of Prisons and Rehabilitation. The initiative begins on October 4 at the Omar Khelifa Hall before touring correctional centers in Borj El Roumi, Msaken, Sfax, and Bled, featuring artists such as Dandri, Jazeb, Mohamed Said, and Mohamed Ali Chebbel.
Decentralization and Lineup Highlights
To promote decentralization, three Tunisian productions will be presented outside the capital during summer and winter festivals, allowing emerging projects to build new audiences beyond the usual cultural circles in Tunis. The performance lineup opens with Dandri and includes notable acts such as Om from Morocco, Labas from Algeria, Jadl from Jordan, Cecilia Krull, Dani De Morón, and Carlos Merino from Spain. Syrian artist Faia Younan will close the cycle. While the programming promises extensive engagement with professional development and social inclusion, the festival organizers emphasize that the true impact will be determined by execution rather than promotional announcements.
