Culture of Tunisia - Cultural Policy

Cultural Policy

The political culture of Tunisia is governed by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage Preservation, directed by Abderraouf El Basti. This department, created on December 11, 1961, is, according to the decree n ° 2005-1707 of June 6, 2005, "responsible, under the general policy of the state to run national choices in the fields of culture and heritage preservation and establish plans and programs to promote these areas ".

In 1999, the budget allocated to 0.6% to culture and reached 1.25% in 2009 and is set to reach 1.5% in 2010. 50% of this increase is linked to a policy of decentralization of culture through the promotion in the areas of cultural institutions such as houses of culture, cultural committees and associations. During 2007, seven libraries were established and 30 public libraries managed. Ten houses of culture were under construction, half completed in 2008, and another 40 houses are under maintenance. The year 2008 was also proclaimed "national year of translation".

On November 7, 2007, President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali announced the creation of a Higher Council for Culture, made up of celebrities and those belonging to various fields of culture and arts, which will be invited to discuss proposed ideas and approaches to promote their areas and strengthen the influence of Tunisia abroad.

In practice, the average number of performances has increased from 1,863 in 2000 to 3,560 in 2007. Special rates not exceeding 35% of the normal price is set for students, teachers and members of the touring theatre. Moreover, to enter the House of Culture in Tunis, the entrance is often free or not under any circumstances exceeds 100 millimes.

However, while Kairouan's ambition is to become the "capital of Islamic culture" in 2009, MPs criticize some of the poor quality of artistic productions. Some regret the delay in the excavation of sites such as Salakta or El Haouaria and criticize the dilapidated state of some buildings, particularly that of Borj Zouara and Bab Saadoun. Moreover, the Tunisian museums should, according to some, be the subject of more attention, notably by addressing the problem of low attendance caused by the high cost of tickets.