Celebration of Rachidia's 90th Anniversary: A Night of Timeless Music
To mark the 90th anniversary of the founding of Rachidia, the Association of this Tunisian musical institution presented a concert, "Nouba al-Muhayer Sikah," at the Tunis Municipal Theater last Sunday. The event featured artists Dorsaf Hamdani and Mohamed Ben Salah, under the direction of Maestro Nabil Zommit, who brought to life the timeless songs of Tunisia's rich musical heritage.
A Concert Like No Other
The concert, presented by historian Abdessatar Amamou, who provided an overview of Rachidia's creation and its key figures, began with "Nouba al-Muhayer Sikah," a nouba that was performed exclusively for the first time on this occasion. The orchestra and choir members, dressed in traditional costumes, performed three pieces from this rare work.
A Tribute to Tunisia's Musical Legacy
In the first part of the concert, renowned singer Mohamed Ben Salah, with his powerful and soaring voice, performed seven melodies composed for the stars of Tunisia's musical scene, including some who got their start at Rachidia. The songs included "Chaghalitni" (Adnan Chaouachi), "Yalli Dhalimni" (Oulaya), "Dar Elfelek" (Saliha), "Aicha-ha wa Yahmiha" (Ali Riahi), "Ya Mdawin Enness," "Mnayra," and "Malek Ya Malek" (Hédi Kallel). The audience, comprising music lovers, applauded enthusiastically, ovating the artist's performance.
Dorsaf Hamdani Steals the Show
The highlight of the evening was reserved for the second part of the concert. After a series of "wasla" performed by the entire choir, guest star Dorsaf Hamdani, with her distinctive voice, captivated the audience with a series of couplets, including "Nadhra min Ainek Tishirni" (Oulaya), "Ya Khaina" (Saliha), "Elil Ah Ya Lil" (Naâma), "Yama Ya Ghaliya" (Soulef), and "Ya Mahla Esahra" (Saliha). The delighted audience joined in with the singer, singing along to these timeless classics that have stood the test of time.
A Month-Long Celebration
The festivities marking the 90th anniversary of Rachidia's founding began on December 4 with a varied program, including two musical concerts, a documentary exhibition, and a retrospective dedicated to composers Salah Mehdi, as well as the launch of Rachidia's website. The celebration also featured conferences, including a presentation by Dr. Anis Khlifi on "Rachidia from 1935 to 1925: 90 Years of Change and Transformation," Dr. Salwa Hfaiedh's discussion on "Women Around Rachidia," and Mokhtar Mestaisser's talk on "Rachidia and its Artistic Journey: Nearly a Century of Challenges and Achievements."
Preserving Tunisia's Musical Heritage
Rachidia, a cornerstone of Tunisia's musical landscape, continues to perpetuate a tradition of classical music appreciated by many Tunisian music lovers since its founding in 1935 by Bey Husseinite Mohamed Rachid. With its mission to preserve and promote Tunisia's musical heritage, Rachidia remains an essential part of the country's cultural identity.
