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Environment Vanessa Szakal 02 October 2018

Hammamet’s forest

Beginning in October, farmers in Tunisia’s northwest, particularly Beja, Jendouba, Zaghouan, will begin planting cereal crops like wheat and barley and leguminous crops including chickpea, lentil and faba which will both feed soil and stock pantries. A select few farmers in the region will also plant canola, an industrial oilseed supplied by French agribusiness giant Groupe AVRIL who is partnering with the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture to develop a canola sector that is « 100% Tunisian ». The project is in fact part of a decades-long push to introduce canola as a « locally grown » alternative to imported grains and oils.

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Politics Translation : Vanessa Szakal 14 September 2018

Investigation: 3ich Tounsi, a « citizen movement » with political ambitions

3ich Tounsi has been the subject of lots of talk over the past months, suscitating a number of questions in its overexposure. Mega-events with ambiguous objectives, copiously-sponsored television and internet ads, opaque funding sources—such characteristics render 3ich Tounsi a veritable extra-terrestrial to the non-profit world, especially when it comes to the association’s discourse which has become more and more openly political.

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Culture Vanessa Szakal 08 September 2018

Rouhanyet Mystic Fest : « Is this what you call peace and love? »

Rouhanyet Mystic Fest is celebrating Season of Peace, its third edition which takes place from September 5-9 in Tunis’ postcardesque Sidi Bou Saïd. Organized by actor Hichem Rostom and wife Sana Ezzine, the event claims to be a « spiritual gathering based on mystic arts, sufism, sacred musics and all expressions of spirituality », offering festival-goers a smattering of yoga sessions, crystal healing and nightly musical concerts with the likes of Yuma and Labess. But amidst festival slogans of « peace, love, tolerance and fraternity », several artists from the previous edition are calling, quite simply, to be paid for their work.

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Society Translation : Vanessa Szakal 03 September 2018

Tunis’ homeless, another face of social crisis

Deterioration of the economic situation, soaring rent prices and feeble government intervention—all factors that contribute to an increase in the number of homeless individuals in the streets of Tunis, estimated at 3,000 in 2014. Ever more present on the streets, around transit stations, outside building entrances, in public gardens and elsewhere, they are a symptom of rampant social misery and marginalizing conservatism.

National Registry of Institutions, stepping on the toes of Tunisia’s civil society organizations

In June 2017, Tunisia’s Ministry of Civil Society and Human Rights pledged to reform the legal framework regulating associations, an attempt to « harmonize » the sector with the fight against terrorism and money laundering. The government’s proposal to amend Decree 88 of 2011, widely regarded as an important gain of the revolution for freedom of association, was perceived as a significant threat to this constitutional right. But while Tunisian and international civil society organizations had their gaze fixed on protecting Decree 88, the threat materialized in a far less obvious form: draft law 30/2018 on the National Registry of Enterprises, precipitously passed into law by parliament on July 27, 2018.

Tunisia’s skies soon to be opened up to drone technology?

On the heels of Korea’s joint agreement with the African Development Bank including a $5 billion assistance commitment to Africa, Tunisia’s Ministry of Development has landed a piece of the deal. The Korea Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAPEC) fund has carved out a million-dollar grant towards a project that will deliver Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), more commonly known as drones, for data collection in Tunisia’s agricultural sector. Until now, drone use in Tunisia has been largely restricted under ministerial law of 6 April 1995. Will South Korea’s experiment influence lawmakers to devise new regulations and open Tunisia’s skies to a wider application of this technology?

Zarzis: After 18 days at sea, 40 irregular migrants arrive in Tunisia

After ongoing negotiations that began on July 15, 40 irregular migrants in territorial waters were brought to the commercial port of Zarzis after being intercepted on their way from Libya to Europe. On Wednesday, August 1, the migrants accepted landing in Tunisia as their legal status is settled to determine whether they will be deported or granted asylum. Their arrival on Tunisian soil marked the end of 18 perilous days at sea after the migrants were refused entry into European ports.

Dendri, quand le Stambeli s’affranchit de l’espace et du temps

Le dendri est une boisson servie aux mausolées en Tunisie. Elle se compose de sorgho, lait fermenté, eau et sucre. Un breuvage atypique tout comme le projet musical qui porte son nom. Présenté en concert mercredi 27 juin à la salle de la Bourse du Travail dans le cadre de la 5ème édition du festival « Jaou Tunis », Dendri propose une fusion entre instruments traditionnels afro-berbères comme le guembri et la gombra et instruments occidentaux tels que la batterie et la guitare. Une manière de défier l’espace et le temps en sortant ce genre de musique soufi de son cadre classique et en lui donnant un coup de jeune permettant aux nouvelles générations de se l’approprier.

Tunisia-United Kingdom: Austerity, a courtesy of Her Majesty

On July 2, The Guardian announced that the British government had concluded a contract with advertising agency M&C Saatchi for a communications campaign to benefit the Tunisian government. The revelation, fueled by the declarations of Britain’s ambassador to Tunisia and statements made by the spokesman for Tunisia’s Presidency, shed light on the growing implication of foreign countries in Tunisia under the convenient pretext of « strengthening capacities ». A problem all the more critical because it is the Tunisian government requesting foreign assistance.

EU-Tunisia: Migration policies, their visas and our dead

The tragedies continue one after another off Tunisia’s coasts. The last to date, along the shores of the islands of Kerkennah, cost the lives of 84 individuals according to a statement made by the Interior Ministry as the search for 28 missing migrants continues. 20 years after the closure of European borders following the Schengen Agreement, where does Tunisia’s migratory policy stand?

To fast or not to fast? Tunisia’s struggle against police conservatism during Ramadan

In Tunis, many practice the fast during Ramadan, abstaining from food and drink from sunup to sundown, just as many do not. At any time of day, you can find the latter crowded into the smoky refuge of one of the cafés and restaurants that continue to serve throughout the day, recognizable by their shutters partially pulled down over doorways or faded newspapers pasted across window fronts, discreet signals to non-fasting passers-by that inside, it’s business as usual. But this activity remains susceptible to police harassment justified by Interior Minister Lotfi Brahem, dismissed on June 5 after being vehemently criticized by NGOs.

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بيئة Vanessa Szakal 21 ماي 2018

حديقة البلفيدير: رئة العاصمة في خطر

العديد يعرفون البلفيدير من خلال حديقة الحيوانات، لكن هذه الحديقة العمومية التي تمسح أكثر من 100 هكتار هي من أكبر المناطق الخضراء بالعاصمة وغطاءها النباتي يجعلها بمثابة رئة العاصمة التي تعرف كثافة سكانية متصاعدة وتختنق بحزام المناطق الصناعية المحيط بها. لكن الارتجال على مستوى التهيئة العمرانية يهدد مساحة البلفيدير بالتقلص لتفسح المجال لباعثين عقاريين خواص أو لطرقات تحد من الاختناق المروري وتُضَاعف من التلوث. في لقاء مع نواة، نبهت آمنة الشرفي، الكاتبة العامة لجمعية أصدقاء البلفيدير، من هذه المخاطر مشددة على الأهمية الوطنية لهذه الحديقة وضرورة المحافظة عليها.

Tunisia: Abstention Party, big winner of the municipal elections

The winner of municipal elections was already known to all: abstention. From one electoral deadline to the next, abstention has been gaining ground. Voting awareness campaigns had but little effect on disenchanted and mistrustful citizens, even when we question them in places where the municipality has undertaken renovations. Report in Tunis, precisely the Tunis 1 municipal district where the rate of abstention reached 74%.

Quand la Tunisie va-t-elle mettre en application les accords «Open Sky» ?

Le 11 décembre dernier, Tunis et Bruxelles ont à leur tour clôturé les négociations, entamées en 2007. Mais l’accord n’a pas encore été signé. Le texte doit auparavant suivre des procédures de ratifications internes en Tunisie et en Europe.

Yasiin Bey alias Mos Def à la rencontre de la scène hip hop tunisienne

Autrefois connu sous le nom de Mos Def, Yasiin Bey se produira, jeudi 10 mai, au Carpe Diem à La Marsa pour le Tunis Block Party (TBP). Tout comme les deux premières éditions organisées par les collectifs Frd & Friends, Upper Underground et Debo, l’évènement rassemblera la crème de la crème des DJs, Bboys, rappeurs et graffeurs tunisiens. Après le succès des deux premières éditions de Tunis Block Party, une performance assurée par le « Bey de Brooklyn » va sans doute réunir un plus grand nombre d’aficionados pour cette troisième édition.

Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def meets the Tunisian hip hop scene

It’s mathematics. In T-minus 10 days, Yasiin Bey, the artist formerly known as Mos Def, will be at Carpe Diem in La Marsa for Tunis Block Party (TBP) on May 10. Like the first two editions organized by collectives FRD, Upper Underground and Debo, the event will gather la crème de la crème of Tunisian DJs, Bboys, rappers and graffers. After an impressive turnout for block parties 1 and 2, a performance by the « Bey of Brooklyn » is sure to draw an even larger crowd for the event’s third edition. But TBP is not just a show for hip hop aficionados: with as much emphasis on street as stage, the party promises equal parts entertainment plus much-needed, healthy competition for participating artists.

Nour Harkati: On his journey, music and new album « Helwess »

Nour Harkati has spent the greater part of the past six years overseas, in Paris, Berlin and most recently New York. He wears the freshness of someone who has been away for a long time and is happy to be home. The singer-song writer has returned to Tunis for Jazz at Carthage, where he will perform with the band Aytma on April 15. During his sojourn in the capital, Harkati talks to Nawaat about life, travels and the musical adventure which has enabled him to try out different sounds and styles along the way. His latest collaborative project is “Helwess”, a soulful and otherworldly alternative rock album.

Reportage au Cap Bon : Pas de chance pour le zhar

Entre mi-mars et mi-avril, les bigaradiers sont en pleine floraison. Comme chaque année au Cap Bon, les femmes s’activent pendant une trentaine de jours pour la cueillette du zhar, la fleur d’oranger bigarade. Si les petites récoltes familiales sont transformées à la maison en eau florale selon les traditions, 80% de la récolte régionale est livrée aux unités industrielles pour en extraire la très précieuse huile de néroli. Alors que la fleur d’oranger est la plus ancienne plante aromatique et médicinale traitée par les Tunisiens, seuls les grands transformateurs profitent d’un marché en plein essor.