In this treatise, I would like to address the pressing questions being asked locally, regionally and globally about the position of Carthage International Festival (Festival International de Carthage, or FIC) in comparison to other festivals. I will be exploring the questions of where the festival stands on the map of world festivals and how it contributes to Tunisia’s cultural diplomacy.

In 2020, I was appointed as the director of this established and important festival and since then I have been thinking about developing a new strategy for the festival, to position it in a direct relationship to its illustrious past. The festival, which was established back in 1964, was a cultural beacon attracting some of the most prominent stars of the region to its stages. I will be basing my projections, questioning and examination of the festival’s role on a festival I had directed previously – Les Journées Musicales de Carthage. Upon accepting this position, I based my vision, goals and practice on this experience. The role differs in that with FIC, I would be programming artists and envision the festival programme from a holistic and long-term perspective, in addition to building on its role in cultural diplomacy.