In the presence of the Minister of Cultural Affairs, Amina Srarfi, and Palestinian wounded from Gaza receiving medical treatment in Tunisia, this poignant concert was a powerful cry for Palestine, carried by Assaf’s commanding voice and the shared emotion with an exceptional audience.
A Return Dedicated to Gaza
Opening with “Ya denia Aley Ech’hadi,” Assaf expressed gratitude to Tunisia and its people, announcing that all proceeds from the concert would be donated to Gaza, a cause that, in his words, “occupies my thoughts and haunts my mind.” Adorned with the Palestinian keffiyeh, he embodied the resilience of a people facing war, transforming his grief into a committed artistic act.
A Committed Musical Selection
Assaf performed a vibrant setlist, including “Ana Dami Filastini,” which, as always, set the stage ablaze, alongside “Bilad Al Arab,” “Salamon Li Gaza,” “Erfaa Rasak,” “Balad El Ezz Ya Gaza,” and “Ya Banat Bladna.” Each song was an ode to Palestinian resistance and identity, delivered with a voice filled with pain and pride. Palestinian and Tunisian flags waved high, while the audience, wearing keffiyehs, showed solidarity through victory signs and chants of “Free Gaza.”
A Fraternal Communion
The harmony between Assaf and his audience transformed the evening into a unique humanitarian experience. The grief caused by the war in Gaza was channeled into a surge of brotherhood between the Tunisian and Palestinian peoples, bound by a historic connection. The stage design, featuring images of Palestine and portraits of child martyrs, heightened the emotion, making every note a call to amplify the voice of Gazans through art.
A Universal Message
This comeback on the Carthage stage, after two years of absence, left a lasting impact with its intensity and commitment. Assaf, an ambassador of Palestinian culture, used his voice to denounce the silence surrounding Gaza’s suffering and to call for justice. The audience, in communion with the artist, responded with collective fervor, turning the ancient theater into a space of resistance and hope.
Carthage, a Voice for Humanity
This concert reaffirmed the Carthage International Festival’s mission to carry universal messages through art.
By dedicating his performance to Gaza, Mohamed Assaf highlighted the power of music as a tool for solidarity and expression of human struggles, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of the audience.
