Controversy surrounding an upcoming hologram tribute to iconic Egyptian singer Abdel Halim Hafez has prompted organizers of the Mawazine music festival to defend their decision and clarify their approach. The announcement of the performance, which features a digital recreation of the late artist, drew criticism from those concerned about the use of his image and voice. In response, the group behind the festival, Maroc Cultures, emphasized that all legal requirements were met before moving forward.
According to festival officials, the necessary permissions were secured in advance through the agency that holds the rights to Hafez’s work. These agreements were finalized prior to the event’s official announcement, underscoring, they say, a commitment to legal and ethical standards.
Maroc Cultures, which has run the Mawazine festival for over two decades, stressed that it has always taken a meticulous approach to copyright and intellectual property. The organization insists that this respect for artistic rights remains intact, even as it experiments with emerging technologies like holography.
In an era where posthumous representations often ignite heated debates, the organizers say their goal is not to provoke but to honor. They see the hologram tribute as a way to pay respect to one of the most influential voices in Arabic music, while also embracing new ways of celebrating cultural heritage. To them, innovation and reverence for the past are not mutually exclusive—but can, in fact, go hand in hand.
