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Abdel Halim Hafez Returns to Sing and Meets His Fans in Casablanca via Hologram Technology
The city of Casablanca is preparing to host an artistic show that will bring the name of Abdel Halim Hafez back to the spotlight through an anticipated interactive hologram experience on April 10, 2026, at the Mohammed V Sports Complex. This evening aims to leverage technology to resurrect one of the most prominent icons of Arabic music on stage.
The organizing body confirmed that the show will be presented in an immersive format supported by a live orchestra and advanced visual techniques, allowing the audience to experience the atmosphere of “the brown nightingale” as if it were being reborn. This event is part of a tour that utilizes the latest 3D projection systems and digital scenography, creating a blend of artistic archives and artificial intelligence to reconstruct sound, image, and movement.
The production company clarified that the show is based on a legal agreement with producer Mohsen Gaber, who holds the rights to utilize several works of Abdel Halim, emphasizing that this type of concert is not unprecedented, with over 25 similar shows having been organized both within Egypt and abroad.
The discussion surrounding this event extends beyond just the concert, highlighting the issue of distinguishing between intellectual property rights of artistic works and the moral rights of an artist’s image, name, and legacy after their death. Morocco previously experienced a similar event; during the 2024 Mawazine Festival, the name of Umm Kulthum was brought to the stage using hologram technology, attracting a wide audience eagerly interacting, driven by nostalgia for the classical music era and curiosity about modern technology.
Dubai Opera also hosted a concert featuring Abdel Halim in 2021 using the same technology, reflecting the transformation of these performances into a cross-border entertainment industry that capitalizes on the symbolism of departed names and the power of nostalgia.
Technically, holograms depend on high-resolution projection systems and reflective or transparent screens that create a three-dimensional optical illusion, supported by software that reconstructs the artist’s features and movements from visual and audio archives, with digital sound enhancement capabilities using artificial intelligence tools.
While some view these performances as a bridge to revive heritage and introduce new generations to its icons, others see them as simulations lacking the “spirit of the moment” that characterizes live concerts. The Casablanca show remains a new test of technology’s ability to touch a collective memory that still holds onto the image of Abdel Halim as a living voice, not just a glowing image on stage.
