Voice of Tunisia
Tunisia's youth – artivistic!
It is a quarter past ten. My location is a neighbourhood on the northern fringes of Tunis and I am writing this article from a co-working space. Next door there is a cinema and an art gallery. The panoramic windows let in a pleasant light; birds chirp outside. This space has become a refuge for young people. They come here to work, drink coffee and chat with friends. The green and breezy terrace is an added attraction. It seems as if time has stood still and the COVID-19 pandemic is far away.
There are magazines and books about the Tunisian revolution here, such as Oussama Khalfaoui and Najeh Missaoui's essay Dégage dégage dégage ils ont dit dégage, but also the Guide du Routard for Switzerland. This treasure trove of knowledge can be accessed for free. I've made myself comfortable in the reading room and am enjoying the peace and quiet. At the tables around me there are young men and women, probably freelancers, seeking inspiration and creativity.
I have known this place since it opened in 2017. My opinion of it has changed over time. I have become aware of how important it is for young Tunisians who are turning to art and culture as a medium to fight for their rights.
Together with the musician Mohamed Benslama we launched the La Fabrique Art Studio for artists and creative people. The platform promotes gender diversity and inclusion, and it provides talented young people with free access to digital art – the launchpad of today. Our traditional system of education can no longer keep pace with the aspirations of young people for freedom and equality. At the same time, they are confronted with big challenges: loss of faith in the state, an archaic administration, political stagnation, little encouragement for entrepreneurship and an economy struggling to get back on its feet.
But it is these same highly creative and resilient young people who supported national efforts last March to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. During the lockdown, Facebook groups and pages did their best to divert and distract the public. Initiatives by women stand out, among them ArchiV'Art, Klinik and the DJ Academy for Girls.
"This place is important for young Tunisians who are turning to art and culture as a medium to fight for their rights."
ArchiV'Art is a virtual gallery founded by Wafa Gabsi. The start-up launched the Artists-Against-Corona-Initiative and called on painters and sculptors to donate a percentage of their online sales to public agencies and civil society organisations that were fighting the pandemic. The artist booking platform Klink organised virtual pass-the-hat collections after many concerts held by the Corona Live Music Facebook group to help musicians facing income losses. The concerts included virtual aperitifs that went down very well with the viewers. The La Fabrique Art Studio set up the DJ Academy for Girls to offer young DJanes online courses in electronic music.
Indeed, why should arts and culture not be more proactive in catalysing greater civic engagement?
OLFA ARFAOUI is a Tunisian artivist and feminist. In the past ten years she has specialised in issues of gender diversity via art and culture. She set up the first female talent network for digital art in North Africa and the Middle East as well as the first DJing school for girls in Tunisia. Olfa Arfaoui has been recognised by UN Women and the Ashoka foundation for her commitment to equality and diversity. She has also produced films on equality in inheritance and on women in the electronic music industry.
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