58th Edition of the Carthage International Festival

Arabic Music Maestro: Kadhem Essaher's 
Mesmerizing Carthage Concert
A Hymm to Love

Kadhem Essaher was eagerly anticipated by his fans ever since his concert was announced as part of the 58th edition of the Carthage International Festival (July 18 - August 17, 2024).

Tickets for the evening of Saturday, August 3, at the Roman Theatre of Carthage had been sold out for weeks. The guest was Kadhem Essaher, a heavyweight in Arabic music, returning to Tunisia after a five-year absence. 

An undisputed magician of Arabic romantic songs, Kadhem Essaher never leaves his audience indifferent; his admirers, who number in the thousands (if not millions), prove this wherever he performs. His international triumphs are countless.

Unsurprisingly, his audience of all ages arrived early at the Roman Theatre of Carthage, ready to experience a long-awaited and dreamed-of show. As expected, the idol filled the venue, as he does every time he lights up the Carthage night.

The beloved crooner chose a selection of his famous songs that have marked his career, tunes the Tunisian audience has known for years. It's worth noting that his relationship with the Carthage International Festival dates back to 1994, and since then, his participation in the festival's programs has become a major artistic event.

In the bouquet of songs he presented, there were necessarily romantic love songs with classical Arabic lyrics by the Syrian poet Nizar Qabani. These powerful and moving lyrics stirred the audience's emotions, who responded by singing along, repeating word for word "Oul ahibbek" ("Say I love you") and "Zidini Ichkan" ("Give me more affection"), shouting without restraint (as was, of course, predictable). Other gems followed, including his own "Hal Andek Chek?" ("Do you still doubt?"), "Ahibbek Jeddan" ("I love you very much"), and "Habibeti wal matar" ("My beloved and the rain"), among others.

This great and sincere artist, in every sense of the word, once again dazzled his audience with the richness of his voice, which oscillates between pure expression and the allure of ornamentation. His timbre conveys a sincerity that aligns him with the greatest contemporary Arab singers.

Kadhem Essaher, born an enchanter (both in voice and stage presence), left an indelible mark on his fans' hearts. He marked the evening of Saturday, August 3, with a word, a word in both singular and plural: emotion.