The 45th edition of the Sfax International Festival will be held from July 21 to August 19, 2025 under the evocative slogan: “Art is a life that renews the city”. With a program dominated by national creation and a measured return to foreign shows, the festival is betting this year on diversity, innovation and territorial anchoring.
A rich programming, thought for the city
During a press briefing organized Wednesday July 16 at the Mall de Sfax, the organizing committee lifted the veil on the program for this edition, made up of 20 shows, including 17 Tunisians. The festival will invest the Sidi Mansour outdoor theater, but also other public spaces in the city, in a desire to bring the art closer to citizens.
Two performances upstream of the opening – from July 16 to 19 – will set the tone: clowns and the troop 100 will animate the Mall and the alleys of the medina, transforming the Sfaxian arteries into an open scene.
“This choice translates our philosophy: to bring down the barriers between art and the public, and to reconnect with the living relationship between space and social, cultural and economic dynamics,” said Farhat Brik, director of the festival.
Among the striking initiatives: an outdoor chess competition around 100 tables and an animation evening at the Sfax casino.
Zoom on the Tunisian scene: between legends and young talents
The festival highlights the big names in Tunisian music: Mohamed Ali Kammoun will open the ball on July 21 with a new version of his work “24 perfumes”.
Saber Rebai, originally from Sfax and emblematic figure of the Arab song, will ensure the fence on August 19. Lotfi Bouchnak will perform on August 7. Ragouj Live, scenic adaptation of the successful series signed Abdelhamid Bouchnak, will be presented on August 17.
The urban scene will be well represented with Balti (August 5), Nordo (August 11), Kazo (July 24), Mortadha Fetiti (August 8) and Erkez Hip-Hop (July 28).
Mystical and Sufi music will find its place with Zouar El Hadhra and Nouba led by Cheikh Morché Boulila (July 30), and Ziara de Sami Lajmi (August 14).
The popular tradition of the southern Tunisian will be celebrated by Raouf Maher (August 3), while El Mahfel Ettounsi (August 9) will bring together Sfaxian artists.
A tribute to the Tunisian woman will take place on August 13 with the show “Kollna Nghanni”, on the occasion of the National Women’s Day.
International opening: Syria, Lebanon and Serbia on the poster
After several dominant national editions, the festival returns to foreign shows: the Syrian Achami will go on stage on August 1. Serbian folklore will be in the spotlight on August 6. The Lebanese Cindy Latty, specializing in the repertoire of Oum Kalthoum and Asmahan, will perform on August 16 with her show “Hadihi Laylati”.
Make way for theater, cinema and circus
The theater will be represented by the play “Binomi” by Aziz Jebali (August 12), and the cinema by the screening of the film “Sahbek Rajel” by Kaïs Chéki (July 26). The street arts will be celebrated with the Paparouni Circus (July 23), in a family show mixing acrobatics, juggling and clowneries.
Full program
- July 21: “24 perfumes” by Mohamed Ali Kammoun
- July 23: Paparouni Circus
- July 24: Kazo
- July 26: Kaïs Chéki “Sahbek Rajel” film
- July 28: Erkez Hip-Hop
- July 30: “Zouar El Hadhra and Nouba” under the direction of Cheikh MORCHED BOULILA
- August 1: Syrian Acchami
- August 3: Raouf Maher
- August 5: Balti
- August 6: Serbian folklore show
- August 7: Lotfi Bouchnak
- August 8: Mortadha Fetiti
- August 9: “Al Mahfel Attounsi”
- August 11: Nordo
- August 12: “binomi” part of Aziz Jebali
- August 13: “Kollna Nghanni”
- August 14: Ziara de Sami Lajmi
- August 16: The Lebanese Cindy Latty, Tarab Oriental
- August 17: “Ragouj Live” by Abdelhamid Bouchnak
- August 19: Saber Rebai
