Search

Copyright of Synergies Chili is the property of GERFLINT (Groupe d'Etudes et de Recherches pour le Francais Langue Internationale) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article first examines the reception of Egyptian musics in France on the level of the musicological discourses produced since Bonaparte’s campaign until contemporary research, noting that the latter contributed to a “rediscovery” of the Nahḍa school repertoire, presented as an acme of art music in the Middle-East. It subsequently analyzes public performances of Egyptian musics in France, from universal expositions in the 19th century until present day Arab pop concerts. The evolution of academic discourses and performances follows the transformations undergone on the one hand by “Egyptian musics”, and on the other hand by the French population, notably more diverse culturally and ethnically in this early 21st century than it was a hundred years before. The article notes the parallel presence of two distinct scenes: a “World music” realm targeting curious music lovers presenting essentially folk musics and learned repertoire, both of which remain confidentially represented in Egypt, and a commercial scene aiming Arab communities in France, which reflects the latest successes of Egyptian pop mainstream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the Western world, the arrival of the Arab Spring was an enormous surprise, welcomed first with enthusiasm then with a certain reticence. We were astonished to witness the reservations, even the fear, of the west, confronted by this historical turn around in the history of the Arabic world. Why were these popular revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, that carried high the standards of universal values as proclaimed by the French Democracy, so poorly acclaimed by both politicians and intellectuals in France? This article looks at some of the reasons for France's cautiousness that stem from political reasons and question directly the history of French colonialism. The Arab Spring of 2010 provoked an exceptional geopolitical upheaval. Now begins a long process towards democracy; it is difficult at this time to judge its chances of success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]