On October 7, 1996, Michael Jackson vibrated the Olympic stadium from El Menzah to Tunis. That evening, the “King of Pop” offered the Tunisian public a legendary spectacle as part of its world tour History World Tour.
Twenty-nine years later, this event remains engraved in the collective memory as One of the biggest concerts ever organized in Tunisia.
Arrived in Tunis the day before, on October 6, 1996, Michael Jackson had been greeted by a joy. Hundreds of fans had gathered at the airport and in front of his hotel to try to see their idol.
Indeed, Michael Jackson arrived at Tunis airport on October 6, 1996welcomed by hundreds of fans and reinforced security. The police had blocked several streets to avoid any incident. Some fans say they saw the star Go to an armored car with tinted windowstimidly greeting the crowd.
The next day, near 60,000 spectators filled El Menzah’s stands to attend a show of an unprecedented scale at the time: millimeter choreographies, pyrotechnic effects, giant screen and futuristic staging.
The concert of a generation
The preparations for the concert lasted several weeks. THE El menzah stadium has been completely redeveloped: installation of a giant screen, modular scene, pyrotechnic effects and sophisticated lighting. It is said that Michael Jackson has personally validated every detail of the scene and lightingleaving nothing to chance. The show included Unpublished choreographies and special effects Never seen before in Tunisia: smoke jets, masked dancers and light games synchronized with each piece. Local technicians had to train specially to manage these innovations.
Retransmis on Tunisian television, the concert marked an entire generation. For many, it was The first time that a star of this scale was performing in Tunisia. The singer had performed his greatest successes, Billie Jean has Beat itpassing by Black or White And Heal the World.
Almost three decades later, the images of this evening continue to circulate on social networks, between nostalgia and pride. For the Tunisians who were there, Michael Jackson’s passage remains a moment of magic, a link between Tunisia and the world pop scene.
Michael Jackson had decided to donate part of the profits from the concert to a Tunisian charity work. This gesture remained very discreet at the timebut testifies to his humanitarian commitment.
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After the concert, Michael Jackson spent a short night in Tunis before leaving the next day. It is said that he would have been Impressed by the warmth of the Tunisian public And promised to come back one day … which unfortunately never happened.
Tarek Ben Ammar’s decisive role
When he plans his tour HistoryMichael Jackson aims to perform on all continents. A date is first provided for Casablancain Morocco.
But this concert is ultimately canceledofficially for security reasons. From then on, Tunisia becomes the only possible option to represent the Arab world and North Africa.
Behind this success is a known name of cinema and show business: Tarek Ben Ammar. Longtime producer and friend of Michael Jackson, he plays a central role in preparing the concert.
Its influence, network and knowledge of the field made it possible to Guarantee technical and security conditions necessary for a spectacle of such magnitude, unprecedented for Tunisia at the time.
Thanks to him, Jackson finds in Tunis a reassuring framework, a solid organization and a welcome that lives up to his world status.
