The 26th Arab Radio and Television Festival was inaugurated on September 21, 2026, at the Roman Amphitheater in Carthage, Tunisia. The festival, organized by the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) in partnership with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Tunisian Television, and Tunisian Radio, will run until September 24. The event is being held in Tunis and Yasmine Hammamet. The festival's theme is "The Pulse of the Image, the Echo of the Future."
Twelve artistic and media personalities from nine Arab countries were honored during the opening ceremony. They include Latifa Al-Qasmi from Tunisia, Wafaa Amer, Bushra, and Mohamed Tharwat from Egypt, Bassem Moughnieh from Lebanon, Abeer Shams Al-Deen and Mohamed Khawandi from Syria, Samira Al-Wahibi from Oman, Alaa Hussein from Iraq, Mohamed Al-Mansour from Kuwait, Mohamed Salem Ould Dindou from Mauritania, and Houssam El Dine Ahmed from the Comoros.
The opening ceremony featured a performance by Iraqi singer Rahma Riad and Syrian singer Nassif Zeytoun, who sang a duet of "Ma Fi Leil." The festival's professional segment will continue on Tuesday in Yasmine Hammamet with the opening of an ASBU technological exhibition. The exhibition brings together 85 exhibitors and 110 stands on 2,500 square meters.
Several meetings are scheduled during the festival, focusing on topics such as podcasting, artificial intelligence in audiovisual media, and tourist journalism. The festival's competitions cover television, radio, and new media. The winners will be announced during the closing ceremony on September 24 at the Opera Theater in the City of Culture in Tunis.
The festival is an important event for the Arab media and entertainment industry, bringing together professionals and artists from across the region. The event aims to promote cooperation and exchange between Arab countries and to celebrate the achievements of Arab media and artists.
The ASBU technological exhibition will showcase the latest innovations and trends in the audiovisual industry. The exhibition will provide a platform for exhibitors to showcase their products and services and for attendees to network and learn about the latest developments in the field.
The festival's closing ceremony on September 24 will announce the winners of the competitions and honor the outstanding achievements of Arab media and artists. The event is expected to conclude with a celebration of the festival's success and a look forward to future editions.
Key points
- The festival honors 12 artistic and media personalities from nine Arab countries.
- The event features a technological exhibition with 85 exhibitors and 110 stands.
- The festival's competitions cover television, radio, and new media.
