The journey began in Africa with the **Rythm Connection** troupe from **Senegal**. The singer's powerful voice, dedicated to the Palestinian people, blended with modern and traditional sounds, captivating the audience. **Burkina Faso** then set the stage ablaze with the frenetic energy of the **Nazounki** troupe, whose drumming and ground-stomping dance steps revealed a raw and fascinating collective force.
Europe was brilliantly represented by the **National Dance Institute of Belgrade**. In traditional costumes, the Serbian dancers performed the "kolo," a dance symbolizing collective joy, with perfect synchronization and rapid steps, to the festive sound of the accordion and flute.
The journey continued to Asia with the **Rajasthani Folk Dance Group from India**. The performance combined music, song, and the grace of the Chari dance, where the dancers move with remarkable skill, balancing jars on their heads. Then, the audience was transported to an atmosphere of the Arabian Nights by the Iraqi troupe **Dar Ellibes**. Through a true danced parade, it revived the splendor of Baghdad with enchanting costumes, embroidery, and sumptuous ornamentation.
The Maghreb and the Arab world also shone brightly. The **National Troupe for Popular Arts of Libya** was warmly applauded for its performances reminiscent of Tunisian heritage, to the sound of the bendir and the zokra (bagpipe). The **Théveste troupe for popular arts from Algeria** also created a strong resonance with the Tunisian audience, who accompanied their songs and dances with applause and youyous.
Tunisia was proudly represented by the **Twayef of Ghbonten**, who were welcomed triumphantly. These poet-singers, whose art is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list, performed their famous "Jinek ye Carthage." **Egypt** captivated the audience with the Sufi dance of the whirling dervish, a whirlwind of light and color, followed by a typical performance from Upper Egypt.
Finally, as a symbol of the festival's commitment, the evening concluded with the **Palestinian Koufiya troupe**. To the sound of patriotic songs and texts of resilience, young dancers in traditional attire closed the show on a powerful note of hope.
For over two and a half hours, richness, diversity, and authenticity were the key words. By bringing all the troupes together on stage for a final salute to the sound of Palestinian music, the Carthage Festival reaffirmed its mission: to be a bridge between peoples and a fervent advocate for the dialogue of civilizations.
