Tunis: The Director General of the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), Abdelrahim Suleiman, has announced that the opening ceremony of the 26th Arab Radio and TV Festival will feature a free concert by invitation only, with no tickets available for sale. The festival, which operates under the theme 'Where Image Pulses and Future Echoes,' will run from September 21 to 24 and will kick off with performances by Syrian artist Nassif Zeytoun and Iraqi artist Rahma Riad.
According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, during a press conference at the ASBU headquarters in Tunis, Suleiman clarified that the distribution of invitations for the opening event has yet to begin. He stressed that any posts on social media regarding the sale of invitations for the event at the Carthage amphitheatre on September 21 are misleading and assured that ASBU will manage the distribution of these invitations.
The opening ceremony will also include tributes to 12 prominent artistic and media figures from nine Arab countries, including Latifa Gafsi from Tunisia. Other honorees include Egyptian actress Wafaa Amer, actor Mohamed Tharwat, actress and singer Bushra, Syrian artists Mohamed Khawandi and Abeer Shams Al-Deen, Lebanese artist Bassem Moughnieh, Omani director Samira Al-Wahaibi, Kuwaiti presenter and actor Mohamed Al-Mansour, Iraqi visual artist and actress Alaa Hussein, Mauritanian filmmaker Mohamed Salem Ould Dandou, and Comorian sports journalist Houssam El Dine Ahmed.
Following the tributes, the musical segment of the evening will begin with performances by Rahma Riad and Nassif Zeytoun, who will also collaborate on a duet. This joint concert represents a first for the festival, as emphasized by Suleiman, who expressed hopes for its success.
The opening and closing ceremonies will be broadcast live by Tunisian Television and available on various satellite channels of ASBU member countries, as well as on its digital platforms. Organizational efforts are in coordination with civil protection and local and regional authorities in Carthage to ensure optimal conditions and safety for attendees.
The press conference also saw participation from partnering institutions, including Chokri Ben Nessir of National Television, Henda Ben Alaya El Ghribi of National Radio, Chedli Klibi of the Opera Theatre of the City of Culture, and Seifallah Tarchouni from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.