The Reason is Not Financial.. Assi El Helani Withdraws from the Arab Music Festival in Egypt

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The crisis of the 34th Arab Music Festival continues, as Lebanese singer Assi El Helani announced his withdrawal from participation, just hours after singers Mohamed Tharwat, Ali El Hagar, and others also withdrew.

El Helani's media office announced in a statement yesterday evening, Thursday, that the artist has apologized for participating in the events of the 34th Arab Music Festival, scheduled to take place during this October, in light of the recent administrative developments witnessed by the Egyptian Opera House.

The statement explained the reason for El Helani's withdrawal, saying: "In order to avoid entering into any disputes or complications related to the recent administrative developments, Assi El Helani apologizes for participating in this edition, with full appreciation and respect for the Egyptian Opera House and its esteemed audience."

This apology came despite the Lebanese singer's earlier announcement of his intention to donate his entire fee, reflecting his eagerness to participate in the renowned music festival and his appreciation for the Egyptian audience, which confirms that the reason for his withdrawal is not related to any financial disputes.

The festival witnessed a crisis of withdrawals by major artists just hours after a press conference held by the head of the Egyptian Opera House, Reda El-Wakeel, regarding the details of the festival, where some expressed their criticism of El-Wakeel's statements, considering them an insult to Egyptian art.

Both singers Mohamed Tharwat and Ali El-Hagar withdrew, followed by a series of withdrawals and apologies for participating in the Arab Music Festival, including Mai Farouk, Mohamed Mohsen, Ahmed Saad, and others.

For his part, singer Mohamed Tharwat revealed in a statement this morning, Friday, the reasons for his apology for participating in the festival, saying: "Those who know my history know that my relationship with art and the opera has never been materialistic," affirming that he had indeed waived more than 75% of his due fee for the concert.

Tharwat clearly criticized the way fees were presented at the festival's press conference, emphasizing that an artist, whether they receive a fee or donate it, deserves full appreciation, and it is not permissible to reduce them to numbers or portray the prestigious institution as financially incapable.

He added that disclosing such details undermines the value and stature of every participating Egyptian and Arab artist, before it affects those who have withdrawn.

Regarding the direct and fundamental reason for his decision, Tharwat confirmed that his objection stems from the core ethics of the profession in respect for artistic figures, rejecting the transformation of the noble message of art into a discussion or dispute over budgets.

The great singer Ali Al-Hijjar had stated in a post on his Facebook account on Thursday morning: "I have apologized for participating in this year's Arab Music Festival, which is the first time I will not participate since the festival's inception."

He added: "The real reason is that the Opera House approved a weak and humiliating financial budget for the accompanying musical band, which I could not accept, and this is the truth that the head of the Opera House ignored discussing at the press conference."

Al-Hijjar continued: "It is strange that the head of the Opera House mentioned that I held concerts during his tenure at the Citadel Festival and in Alexandria and on the main stage at the Opera, which I have been accustomed to for more than thirty years before his arrival and is not a favor from him."

The crisis escalated with the resignation of the head of the Opera House, Reda Al-Wakeel, after the withdrawal of prominent artists from participating in the festival.

Reda El-Wakeel announced his resignation from his position as the head of the Egyptian Opera House through a post on Facebook, in which he said: "Before I leave you in peace to continue the previous habits and methods that I hope will not return, which I started to modify for our interests during a short period, and I have already begun to successfully change some behaviors and actions that I could not and will not accept their existence throughout my presidency of this great edifice, the Egyptian Opera House, our second home... I apologize to you."