Tunisians and tourists were delighted by the opening act of the 45th Carthage International Festival on Thursday (July 9th), which commemorated the 100th anniversary of renowned Tunisian poet Abou El Kacem Chebbi's birth.
Operetta "Al Sabah Al Jadid" painted a picture of Chebbi's life with dancing, singing and acting, moving from his youth into adulthood, discussing his work and struggles against the challenges of his time.
"It was an integrated and co-ordinated show," said Nora, one of the viewers. "I didn't feel time passing; I hadn't imagined that the opening performance would be so beautiful and interesting."
Chebbi is one of Tunisia's most celebrated poets. He was born in 1909 in Tozeur province and spent his short life learning and writing poetry. He obtained a law diploma from the University of Ez-Zitouna. He died in 1934 following a long struggle with heart problems.
The Tunisian national anthem ends with two verses from one of Chebbi's poems: "The Will to Live", from 1933.
The operetta, produced especially for the festival by Wahida Saghir Baltaji and directed by Hatem Derbal, featured seven dancing shows that reflected Chebbi's conflict against the characteristics of his era; laziness, oppression, tyranny, obliteration of identity. It also depicted his support for the will to live, with all the hope and love of survival that he believed it carries.
About 100 performers participated in the show and sang Chebbi's poems, set to music by Rachid Yedess. The poems returned the audience to the time of the French occupation of Tunisia.
"This genre of performances was dictated by the poetic nature of Chebbi," said director Derbal.
The production company said it hired young performance for the operetta to accommodate the show's requirements. The director's vision needed considerable physical expression, especially in the choreography, which required young actors, the company said.
"We presented Chebbi in his poems in a new vision," said actor Mehdi Ayach, who played the poet. "[Chebbi] was presented in a 2009 contemporary vision... dancing and singing in his youth."
In addition to the rhythm, the show depended on visuals to appeal to the audience. The organisers set up multiple screens on the stage to display a variety of pictures.
The operetta concluded with "The Will to Live". The audience, moved by the poem, sang along and ended with lengthy applause.
"I was surprised how great the show was," said one audience member.
"It's a shame it was only one show," said another.
The Carthage International Festival will take place through August 17th. Several Arab and international performers are lined up to rock the stage, including France's Charles Aznavour, Patricia Kaas and Natalie Cardone, Warda Jazaeiriya, Algerian rai star Cheb Khaled, and Ali Khan of Pakistan. There will also be "Youth Soirées" from the United States and Africa.
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