The Tunisian Minister of Culture Mahdi Mabrook said that he welcomes the participation of Lebanese singers Assi Hilani, Najwa Karam, Ziyad Al Rahbani and Julia Boutrus at the Annual Carthage Music Festival.
Mahdi had defended his previous announcement of refusing the participation of Lebanese singers Nancy Ajram and Elissa at the festival by stressing that he has nothing against the two singers, but the Carthage Festival like any other festival has certain guidelines and standards which the two stated singers do not meet.
The minister’s announcement about refusing to have Nancy and Elissa sing at the festival gave rise to criticism and rejection by Tunisian and Lebanese singers especially since both Lebanon and Tunisia welcome performances by singers year round without setting conditions.
