La Goulette, a Tunisian Seaside Resort and Haven of Tolerance

24 July 23, 2017 Travel www.thearabweekly.com Agenda Dubai: Through July 27 “Modernist Women of Egypt,” an exhibit of work by Egyptian female artists, takes place at the Green Art Gallery on Alserkal Avenue in Dubai. The works on display date from 1950-70 and show the evolu- tion of styles that shape the Egyptian identity of today and reflect the direct and emotion- al effects of political unrest in Egypt and the rest of the world at the time. Tabarka: Through July 29 The Tabarka Jazz Festival in Tunisia returns with re- A tourist rides a camel after disembarking from a cruise liner at La Goulette on the northern edge of Tunis. (AFP) nowned international and local jazz artists such as Beth Hart, Roberto Fonseca, Stanley Jordan and Oum. Concerts take place at La Basilique of La Goulette, a Tunisian seaside Tabarka. Guests also may at- tend free street performances. Marrakech: resort and haven of tolerance Through July 31 The Marrakech Festival of Roua Khlifi Popular Arts and Folklore showcases Moroccan tradi- tions, music, dance and La Goulette costumes through the ages. There are concerts, exhibitions he Lake of Tunis sparkles and Moroccan street troupe under the scorching sun, performances. as the summer breeze finds its way into the Jerash: northern-bound train. Through August 5 TThe train’s first stop is the Tunisian port town of La Goulette, which The Jerash Festival of Culture rests peacefully at the beginning of and Arts, first organised in a string of beautiful beaches to the 1980, transforms the ancient north. Jordanian city of Jerash into Only ten minutes from down- one of the world’s liveliest town Tunis by train, La Goulette cultural events. With singers, is Tunisia’s portal to the Mediter- poetry readings, ballet perfor- ranean and has played a significant mances, symphony orchestras role in trade and commerce over and art shows, the Jerash the centuries. It is known as a ha- Festival showcases Jordanian ven for religious tolerance and as culture in many different beautiful site. The town served as areas. an inspiration for many artists, in- cluding Tunisian film director Ferid El Jem: Boughedir, whose movie “Summer Through August 12 in La Goulette,” explored the town’s diverse cultural landscape in the El Jem Roman Amphitheatre, 1960s. about 160km south of Tunis, “The town’s name is derived hosts classical musicians from the channel where the city is from all over the world for Docked boats at La Goulette port near Tunis. (Zied ben Miled) located,” said Ali Bouras, a La Gou- the International Festival of lette municipality official. “The -Ar Symphony Music of El Jem. In abic name translates to the ‘throat’ and the Spanish continued in 1574 hub for Italians and Maltese, who, town, you can witness the Jewish its 32nd year, the festival pro- of the river as it is on a channel that by the Ottomans. It wasn’t fully together with Tunisian Jews and ritual celebrations, the festival of gramme includes symphonic connects the Lake of Tunis to the restored until 1965 and today, the Muslims, gave the town a diverse Madonna and the ritual to the Sufi and orchestral music from gulf, making the placement of the monument requires some restora- religious and cultural makeup. saint of La Goulette.” Ukraine, Italy, Austria, China town strategic. tion work,” Bouras said. In addition to beautiful beaches, and Tunisia. Due to its strategic location, La The fortress offers a breathtak- a serene aura and rich culture, La Goulette was the site of numer- ing view of Tunis’s coastal shores. La Goulette is a Goulette also boasts delicious sea- Baalbek: ous battles between civilisations. It also has served as a theatre for popular destination food cuisine. On just one street, Through August 15 Today, the Fortress or El-Karaka, summer festivals in La Goulette. for Tunisians more than 40 restaurants offer a a stone-walled monument mark- “The annual festival of La Gou- variety of savoury seafood platters. Set in the Roman ruins in ing the ancient power struggle lette is a celebration of music and throughout the year. There is an annual fish festival in the city of Baalbek in eastern between the Spanish and Turks, arts. The Spanish fort is a beautiful August, which Bouras described Lebanon, the Baalbek Inter- stands as a testament to the place. It has a theatre that can host “It was in 1830 that Tunisia as “an annual feast for people and national Festival stages opera, bygone era. The 16th-century a stage and the audience but the signed a convention with the Ital- visitors to enjoy food at reasonable classical music, pop and jazz landmark, which was con- problem is that it has a limited ians and the Maltese enabling the prices.” concerts and modern and structed as a tower by Ot- number,” Bouras said. latter to immigrate to Tunisia to La Goulette is a popular destina- classical dance performed by toman leader Hayreddin While La Goulette’s popula- work in fishing and maritime activ- tion for Tunisians throughout the international and Lebanese Barbarossa and restored by tion was originally composed ities. The number of families soon year. In the summer, thousands of artists. This year’s festival Spanish King Charles V in mostly of Moors and Turks, it rose in 1852 making the town’s visitors enjoy the beaches and food. welcomes trumpeter Ibrahim 1535, greets visitors as the drew in a range of nationalities population cosmopolitan,” said Abdessalem Khirat, who owns a Maalouf and singer Samira centre of the town. due to its flourishing maritime Bouras, adding that it is also known restaurant in La Goulette, stressed Said among other performers. “The fortress was de- commerce. By the early 20th for its “religious tolerance.” the role of the town’s annual fish stroyed again, as the war century, La Goulette was well- “Religious occasions for different festival. Carthage: between the Ottomans known as a cosmopolitan religions are still celebrated. In one “The fish festival is a celebration Through August 19 of the town’s wealth of fish and of its long tradition as a maritime cen- The Carthage International tre. People come to celebrate, to Festival is one of the most have fun and to savour the fish and compelling arts and cultural the dishes we offer,” Khirat said. events in North Africa, draw- “It has a carnivalesque feel as the ing a mix of local and interna- streets are reserved for pedestrians tional performers to Tunisia only and there is an area with music over a period of several weeks. and dance shows while restaurants It takes place at the Carthage open the doors and showcase their Amphitheatre. culinary arts.” With cafés stretching along the beach and a historical fortress over- We welcome submissions of looking the coast, La Goulette is an calendar items related to iconic Tunisian town full of beauty cultural events of interest to and meaning. travellers in the Middle East and North Africa. Roua Khlifi is a regular Travel and Please send tips to: A general view shows the Church of Saint Augustine Fishermen repair nets at La Goulette port near Culture contributor to The Arab [email protected] and Saint Fidèle in La Goulette. (AFP) Tunis. (Reuters) Weekly. She is based in Tunis..

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