logo
Arab radio and TV festival opens in Tunis

Arab radio and TV festival opens in Tunis

The Star23-06-2025
TUNIS, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The 25th Arab Radio and Television Festival opened Monday in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, and would run through Thursday.
The event, held under the theme "A Space for Cultural Encounters and Creativity," was organized by the Arab States Broadcasting Union with support from Tunisia's Culture Ministry and state media. The opening ceremony at Carthage Amphitheater drew officials, diplomats, cultural figures and media representatives from across the Arab world.
The festival features artistic performances, industry discussions, tributes to leading media figures, and parallel events including seminars, a technology exhibition, and a software market. Activities will also be held in Yasmine Hammamet, a resort town in northeastern Tunisia.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lebanon mourns Ziad Rahbani, enfant terrible of stage and song
Lebanon mourns Ziad Rahbani, enfant terrible of stage and song

New Straits Times

timea day ago

  • New Straits Times

Lebanon mourns Ziad Rahbani, enfant terrible of stage and song

LEBANON mourned musician and composer Ziad Rahbani, son of iconic singer Fairuz and a musical pioneer in his own right, who died on Saturday aged 69 after a decades-long career that revolutionised the country's artistic scene. Tributes poured in for Rahbani, also a playwright and considered the enfant terrible of Lebanese music, who left a huge mark on multiple generations with his often satirical plays and songs that for many reflected a deep understanding of Lebanon's political and economic reality. "On Saturday at 9am (0600 GMT), the heart of the great artist and creator Ziad Rahbani stopped beating," said a statement from the Beirut hospital where he was being treated. He had suffered ill-health in recent years that also impacted his artistic activity. His funeral is to be held on Monday at 4pm at a church in Bikfaya outside Beirut, according to a notice from the family. Rebellious and visionary, Rahbani's work foreshadowed Lebanon's civil war before it erupted in 1975, and later reflected the conflict and the harsh realities of the ensuing economic crisis. His fame extended to the rest of the Arab world and beyond. One of his most famous theatre pieces, "Film Ameriki Tawil", or "The American Motion Picture", was a satirical depiction of Lebanon during the civil war, set in an asylum populated with characters who represented different facets of society. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said in a statement that Rahbani was "a voice that rebelled against injustice, an honest mirror for the oppressed and marginalised." Culture Minister Ghassan Salame wrote on X that "we dreaded this day as we knew his health was worsening and that his desire for treatment was dwindling." Rahbani was the son of Arab musical icon Fairuz, who turned 90 last year, and the late Lebanese composer Assi Rahbani, who along with his brother Mansour modernised Arab music by blending Western, Russian and Latin American sounds with Eastern rhythms. Already adored by older generations, Fairuz became a youth idol when her son began composing jazz-influenced songs for her, calling the result "Oriental jazz." While Fairuz transcended Lebanon's deep sectarian divides, her son was fiercely left-wing, secular and a supporter of the Palestinian cause – but was also beloved by many on the opposite side of the political spectrum. He spent his life decrying the divisions that brought ruin upon his country. In 2018, he performed at Lebanon's annual Beiteddine festival with a musical showcase of his and his family's decades of work – one of his last major onstage appearances. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said "Lebanon has lost an exceptional artist and creative, a free voice who stayed faithful to the values of justice and dignity", and who said "what many don't dare to say." Lebanese actress Carmen Lebbos, his former partner, wrote on X: "I feel like everything has gone. I feel like Lebanon has become empty." Lebanese journalist Doha Shams, who knew Rahbani for three decades, told AFP that "Ziad was our conscience, the conscience of Lebanese society, and the person who understood Lebanese society the most – and knew where it was going."

Pop Mart opens first Berlin store to "endless" queues
Pop Mart opens first Berlin store to "endless" queues

The Star

time2 days ago

  • The Star

Pop Mart opens first Berlin store to "endless" queues

BERLIN, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Not even the rainy weather could dampen the enthusiasm of hundreds of devoted fans who queued for kilometers outside a major Berlin shopping center early Friday morning, eagerly awaiting the opening of China's toy-maker Pop Mart's first store in Germany. By the time the doors opened at 10 a.m. local time, the queue of people with umbrellas and camping chairs, fizzing with excitement, had already wrapped around the building. Some fans had traveled distances of up to 500 kilometers, just to get their hands on Labubu, the wildly popular plush collectible. One 41-year-old father told German media Berliner Rundfunk that he and his 10-year-old son had arrived 21 hours before opening time. "We got here yesterday at 1 p.m., and my son stood by the door. We realized we were the first ones. Then he clung to it and said, 'Dad, I'm not letting go,'" he recalled. When the doors finally opened, the crowd surged forward. "It was chaotic, it was very hot, but it was all worth it," said Cynthia Schlater, 25, who waited in line for 14 hours. She told German media BZ Berlin that she spent about 500 euros in the store. Labubu, one of Pop Mart's most beloved characters, has transformed from a quirky figure with googly eyes and sharp teeth into a global icon. Founded in 2010, POP MART has risen to fame through its original character designs and collaborations with emerging artists, and it has attracted 1.2 million annual visitors to its flagship stores worldwide.

China's pavilion captivates crowds at Jordan's Int'l City Festival
China's pavilion captivates crowds at Jordan's Int'l City Festival

The Star

time3 days ago

  • The Star

China's pavilion captivates crowds at Jordan's Int'l City Festival

AMMAN, July 24 (Xinhua) -- China's pavilion has emerged as one of the main attractions at the 18th International City Festival, held Thursday at the Zaha Cultural Center in Jordan's capital, Amman. The festival, a summer highlight on Jordan's cultural calendar, features pavilions from 12 countries, including Bahrain, China, France, Malaysia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye. Organized by the China Cultural Center in Amman, the Chinese presence includes a cultural pavilion, a food pavilion, and a tourism pavilion, together showcasing traditional Chinese clothing, cuisine, calligraphy, and travel experiences. "Our participation in cultural events promotes the Chinese language and traditions among Jordanians, as both countries enjoy strong ties," said Randa Al-Yabroudi, deputy manager of the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh (TAG) Confucius Institute, which also contributed to the event. "Jordanians show great interest in Chinese customs, and we always see enthusiastic participation during our activities." The pavilion's culinary offerings drew particular interest. "I'm used to seeing Chinese culture in movies, but today I got to experience the real taste of Chinese cuisine and culture. It was sensational," said Maryam, a visitor in her 20s. The event also featured live performances by each participating country. The Chinese performance, presented by the delegation from China's North Minzu University, was a crowd favorite. Through captivating music and graceful dance, it offered a glimpse into China's rich cultural legacy.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store