Dougga International Festival opens 50th edition with Chayma Hilali

The Dougga International Festival launched its 50th edition Friday evening within the exceptional setting of the Dougga Roman theater. The opening night drew a crowd eager to celebrate the start of an anniversary edition focused on music, memory, and heritage.

To kick off the fiftieth edition, Chayma Hilali took the stage with a repertoire that merged Tunisian sounds, great classics of Arabic song, and some melodies from the Gulf. Throughout her performance, the singer engaged in a spontaneous dialogue with the audience, alternating moments of emotion with more festive sequences. Spectators' voices soon joined the artist's, with refrains sung in unison and hearty applause filling the ancient stones of the archaeological site.

The atmosphere in the Roman theater reflected the spirit of the Dougga International Festival: a place where heritage becomes a living stage and music brings generations together. "I am happy to reconnect with this Tunisian audience of refined taste," Chayma Hilali confided after her show, acknowledging the warm reception from festival-goers.

This opening evening also marked the beginning of the festival's 50th-anniversary celebrations. A documentary tracing fifty years of history, creation, and encounters was produced to highlight the journey of the Dougga International Festival and its deep roots in the cultural life of the Northwest region. Its screening, initially scheduled before the concert, could not take place due to a technical incident and will be rescheduled during the festival.

The Dougga International Festival continues until July 25, featuring a program that will showcase nightly dialogues between artists and this ancient heritage, perpetuating a cultural history that has spanned fifty years.

“

I am happy to reconnect with this Tunisian audience of refined taste.