ALGERIA: Constantine, a picturesque town in north-eastern Algeria famed for its numerous bridges, hosts a popular Jazz festival titled "Dimajazz" or always jazz

Record ID: 574232

  • Title: ALGERIA: Constantine, a picturesque town in north-eastern Algeria famed for its numerous bridges, hosts a popular Jazz festival titled "Dimajazz" or always jazz
  • Date: 5th July 2012
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DIMAJAZZ FESTIVAL ORGANIZER, BOUZID ZOHEIR, SAYING: "It is the 10th anniversary (of the jazz festival) and it coincides with the 50th anniversary of Algeria's independence. This year is special. The festival lasts for 10 days, and each day represents a year of efforts of the festival's founders and creators since 2003." PEOPLE SEATED DURING A BREAK (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DIMAJAZZ FESTIVAL ORGANIZER, BOUZID ZOHEIR, SAYING: "In the first few years it was hard to attract famous singers and bring them to participate in the festival, but lately Dimajazz has become famous and has a good reputation in the international scene. And when we invite a famous singer and he accepts and comes happily, we're happy, because for five years we have been bringing in big and famous international artists."
  • Embargoed: 20th July 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Algeria
  • Country: Algeria
  • Topics: Arts
  • Reuters ID: LVAEHG69DJFV8NP4M6Q2MAAO09T8
  • Story Text: Music lovers gathered in Algeria's "City of Bridges" for a popular jazz festival entitled "Dimajazz" -- which means "Always Jazz" in the local Arabic dialect, but is also a play on words based on the word "majaz", the regionally-used word for "bridge."
    The annual festival, opened on June 14th this year in the ancient town of Constantine.
    Each year thousands of people are drawn to the festival for its music but also for its setting.
    Algeria's third city Constantine, 450km east of capital Algiers, is situated on a natural rock fortress at more than 600 metres of altitude. It is an enchanting place connected to the outside world by numerous high bridges. It's also the hometown of many famous Algerian singers.
    American singer, Nicole Slack Jones was one of the guest performers at the event where she put got fans on their feet at the National Theater of Constantine.
    A native of New Orleans in southern United States, Jones has been singing since an early age and has shared the stage with world renowned artists such as Stevie Wonder and Fats Domino.
    She found fame in 2008 with the release of her first album "Back to Roots."
    "Constantine, merci beaucoup, thank you so much for having me here, it was wonderful. The crowd was energetic, very positive, very uplifting for me. Even though I gave the show they gave me something back, which was a good time, happiness and joy. And even though so many people in the world go through so many things in life, I love when the audience can have this energy, and so it's a connection and sometimes they say you're not tired? But when I have the good energy from the public, I'm not tired; I can go one more round," she said.
    Dimajazz is one of the 150 official festivals subsidized by the Algerian Ministry of Culture and over time has become one of the leading cultural events in the country. This year the festival was also celebrating a milestone.
    "It is the 10th anniversary (of the jazz festival) and it coincides with the 50th anniversary of Algeria's independence. This year is special. The festival lasts for 10 days, and each day represents a year of efforts of the festival's founder and creators since 2003," said one of Dimajazz's founders and organisers, Bouzid Zoheir.
    Dimajazz was created in 2003 by four friends, all fans of jazz music and of Constantine. The founders said they never imagined the festival would become so famous, especially when it had a hard time recruiting big-name performers in its early days.
    "In the first few years it was hard to attract famous singers and bring them to participate in the festival, but lately Dimajazz has become famous and got a good reputation in the international scene. And when we invite a famous singer and he accepts and comes happily, we're happy, because for 5 years we have been bringing in big and famous international artists," said the festival creator.
    The 10 day festival closed on June 23rd
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