Carthage International Festival continues to shine from Roman amphitheatre

Sonia Mbarek, renowned Tuni­sian singer and current director of Festival, emphasises histori­cal and cultural importance of this annual event.

Tunis - Staged in the Roman Am­phitheatre of Carthage, the International Festival of Carthage is an annual event that graces Tunisia with a variety of concerts and artistic shows extending over the months of July and August.

The glorious monument of the Carthage amphitheatre, which dates back to the second century AD, with­stands the test of time. Its complex architectural system of stairs and caves provides protection against earthquakes. In ancient times, it was primarily used for theatre pres­entations and other cultural events, such as poetry readings and philo­sophical debates. Vandalised in the fifth century, the amphitheatre was put back to use at the end of the 19th century.

Starting in 1964, and following renovations, the theatre became the site of the International Festival of Carthage, a culture and entertain­ment venue showcasing talents every summer.

The festival was established in the early 1960s as an initiative of intel­lectuals and art­ists. It started mainly as a two-day jazz music festi­val and in­cluded a presentation of a Jean-Paul Sartre play in 1961

photos of the international festival

concert micheal Jackson ("history world tour tunisia")

festival of carthage

Considered one of the Arab, African and world's most important festivals,^{[citation needed]} the International Festival of Carthage is housed in the antique theater of Carthage restored in the early twentieth century and has a capacity of 7,500 spectators capacity. Since its founding, the Carthage Festival has attracted such artists from the Arab world as Ali Riahi, Hedi Jouini, Saber Rebaï, Kadhim Saher, Warda Majida El Roumi.
The festival features Arab-Mediterranean culture and all kinds of artwork. The festival has also played host to Youssou N'Dour, Dalida, James Brown, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Alpha Blondy, Joe Cocker, Serge Lama, Gérard Lenorman and Charles Aznavour, as well as plays, dances folk and ballet.