The 59th edition of the Carthage International Festival kicked off on July 19, 2025, amid widespread media attention and a prominent cultural presence. The festival will continue until August 21. The festival is one of the most prominent cultural and artistic events in Tunisia and the Arab region, contributing annually to enriching the artistic scene and providing artists with a launching pad for Arab and international stardom.
Hind Mokrani, Director General of the National Foundation for the Development of Festivals and Cultural and Artistic Events, emphasized that this edition features diverse programs, including international and Arab performances that reflect the festival’s openness to multiple cultures. She explained that the performances blend Eastern and Western styles, embodying an artistic vision that considers art a universal language that unites humanity around shared aesthetic values.
Mokrani indicated that this edition falls within the national framework aimed at advancing cultural and artistic work and enhancing public taste. She also affirmed ongoing efforts to restore the Carthage Theater’s luster as a space for fine art and a major platform that radiates creativity and beauty on both the Arab and international levels.
This year’s Carthage Festival bears the slogan “Qart Hadasht,” meaning “New City,” expressing the desire for renewal while preserving Carthage’s historical uniqueness as a venerable cultural site that balances Tunisian identity with openness to global cultures.
The budget allocated for this edition amounts to approximately 3 million Tunisian dinars, funded by the state and revenues from tickets and advertising. The festival program includes diverse musical and theatrical performances by Tunisian, Arab, and international artists, affirming its status as one of the most prestigious cultural festivals in the region. Al-Maqrani emphasized that the ancient Carthage theater, with its historical and cultural symbolism, can only be graced by artists with exceptional artistic and public presence. She noted that the festival is not just a space for artistic performances, but rather a true platform for propelling artists toward stardom and Arab and international influence, in addition to being a sanctuary for fine art and authentic creativity.
