Amphitheater in Antsonjobe: the HAT is pledging one more of Antananarivo’s mayor’s promises

Duly promised and duly completed, the state is scoring its second goal: afterAntananarivo’s city hall, Andry Rajoelina is increasing the state bill with the erection of a gigantic cultural facility previously promised to the capital city’s voters. The Theater and Exhibition Center of Antsonjobe will be shaped like the Greek and Roman models coliseums, likely to support 25 000 spectatorrs, 20000 of them in the tiers. A 10 000 m² wide exhibition center will be part of it. A 1000m² area dedicated to artists. The future amphitheater of Antsonjobe will, besides, have a parking suitable to 700 cars.  

« It is one of the Indian Ocean’s biggest and the most prestigious cultural place, I dedicate it to all artists » declared the elected mayor of Antananarivo. Andry Rajoelina makes it the HAT pride propaganda element. « Such a project has never been achieved for lack of political will. We are expecting to finish it within six months, together with the transition « . The project is reaching the 10 billions of ariary bill. Three corporations have been granted the contract. In face of the City Hall’s completion speed, the bet is not as fool as it seems.  

The artists are delighted, but still doubtful in face of such a gigantic scale. « I hope it not to be as expensive as the Sports Palace », reacted the singer andcomposer Max Exception. His doubts are shared by the singer Mamy Gotso who denounced a damaging pricing in the name of artists. « Renting the Culture and Sports Palace is costing some 6 millions of ariary for artists, but only 100 000 ariary for one basketball match », he said, while expressing his wish that the new facility be more affordable. 

 Francis Turbo already has a funny idea: « it is very big for us humorists, we are likely to compell spectators to occupy the flat side large enough for 5000 people, on the other hand, I promise that I’ll be running all along to cover the stage « . The female singer Lianah  rather expressed her taste for the big theater’s practical sides, of which the back rooms and the parking lot. « One can produce vastly more professional things », she added.  

Professionalism, the same word is stated by Felaniary, a small stage singer and composer, far too clean to be popular. In quality of star, Njakatiana doesn’t display any fear from facing up to the amphitheater’s size. « 25000 places, many artists are used to gather as so many spectators « , he challenged. The patriotic crooner is longing for the Theater of Antsonjobe to be opened to every kind of music.  

The folk singer Bakomanga put an idea forward in order to fill the area up with spectators: « ticket prices should be affordable « . The singer Samoela and his artistic inspiration can however not yet paint the picture: « the idea is good, I like it, but I hope it to be achieved « .