French singer Francoise Atlan: “I did not sing in Hebrew in Telemcen, I performed in Arabic and old Spanish”

French artists and singer, who is also Algerian originated, from the “Kabylie zone”, Francoise Atlan, is in an artistic tour in Algeria, at the invitation of the National Office for Culture and Media; refuted the news about singing in Hebrew at the ceremony which was organized, last Friday in Telemcen, western Algeria.

Françoise Atlan asserted in an interview to “Echorouk” before her second concert, in Algiers, that she sang with Spanish and Arabic, because she likes the two languages, and always sings in various concerts without the French language which is her native language but she never sing in French.

Are you visiting Algeria for the first time? How do you find the home of origin?

I am very happy, this is my first time in Algeria, this is an amazingly beautiful country. I have visited so far three cities during my concerts, namely Tlemcen, Oran and Algiers. Algiers is so beautiful through what I’ve seen, and therefore I am happy with my presence in this country.

What did you offer to your fans in Algeria on Monday’s concert?

There are no specific songs, but I presented a rich and varied artistic repertoire, with links and clips from the repertoire of Spanish art songs, and songs from the Andalusia heritage, which I adore, as it is my favorite, considering that this art is widespread in Algeria and Spain, and other links that are provided in “Zidane” episode, and other well-known episodes in the Andalusia music.

What is the language of your songs, since you’re a French of Algerian Tamazight descent and you sing with Spanish Andalusia heritage?

Quite frankly, I sing in Arabic and in the old Spanish and I did not sing in French despite the fact that the fans ask me to do that.

What’s the secret of not choosing to sing in French?

It is true that I speak French, but in my opinion it is not a language that gives me the desire to sing, and therefore I am very close to the Andalusia repertoire, and everything that is related to its aesthetics and all the texts that left in me a big impact, and that’s why I love the Andalusia heritage and I play its music. I specifically sing in Arabic and Spanish.

 Large controversy was raised concerning your choice to sing in Hebrew, in Tlemcen. We would like to know you confirmation or denial of it to the Algerian public?

It is absolutely wrong, I have sung as I told you previously in Spanish and Arabic, as I mentioned I performed in Spanish melodies that are dating back to the fifteenth century, and some thought that I sang in Hebrew and I did not do that.

What are your future projects?

My “very soon” artistic projects first began with the Telemcen concert, and the artistic concert that I’ll perform tomorrow, Tuesday, in Algiers Moggar Hall, then in Constantine and Annaba in the next four days.