Sfax: an Architectural Gem Steeped in History and Culture
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24 October 1, 2017 Travel www.thearabweekly.com Agenda Tunis: October 4-8 The sixth Dream City, a biennial multidisciplinary celebration of contemporary art, takes place in public spaces in the Medina of Tunis. The event includes movie projections, theatre per- formances, music concerts and art exhibitions. Artists from Africa, the Middle East and Europe will participate. Beirut: October 4-12 In its 17th edition and marking its 20th anniversary, the Beirut International Film Festival is set for the Metropolis Empire Sofil with special screenings in Cinéma Montaigne and the Sur- A view of the municipality building in Sfax. (The Ministry of Tourism) sock Museum. The festival pro- gramme includes long features, short films and documentaries in addition to Lebanese film Sfax: An architectural gem premieres. Washington: October 5-8 steeped in history and culture The annual DC Palestinian Film and Arts Festival (DCPFAF) re- Roua Khlifi turns for a seventh year, bring- ing 97 films to Washington. The festival serves as a platform for Sfax the artistic creativity of Pales- tinians through film, music and isitors to Sfax are first the visual arts. overwhelmed by the buzzing scene of motor- Abu Dhabi: bikes, cars and hurrying October 6 pedestrians. A second Vlook at the Mediterranean port The third Caribbean Beach town reveals more. Festival celebrates Caribbean, Located 270km south-east of African, American and Latino Tunis, Sfax is Tunisia’s second- cultures through music, food biggest city and boasts an array of and dance. The event takes impressive monuments and land- place at Yas Beach and features marks and a well-preserved tradi- food trucks, games, interna- tional medina. tional acts and acrobats. Sfax has a rich history that in- cludes a succession of several Sidi Bou Said: civilisations: From the Punic to October 6- 21 the Byzantine to the Roman and Islamic. During the Roman era, The 12th Musiqat Festival takes the town was known as Taparura, place at the Ennejma Ezzahra a place that has transformed into a A view from the Kasbah Museum in A wood artisan is seen at his shop in the Medina of Sfax. palace in Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia. (The Ministry of Tourism) (The Ministry of Tourism) modern suburb. Sfax. The festival includes a variety “In the books of history, you al- of music shows, such as fado, ways find Sfax referred to as the medina has two main doors: Bab Heritage site in 2012. old cities became touristic but the gnaoua and flamenco. Artists guarded town or ‘al-Mahroussa.’ Jebli, facing the northern lands, At the heart of the medina lies shops in the medina of Sfax are from Spain, Tunisia, Iraq, Por- This is because the walls of the and Bab Bhar, facing the sea. Other the Great Mosque of Sfax, which still the same,” Mokni said. tugal, Morocco and Austria are fences surrounding the medina of doors were built throughout the dates to the foundation of the city Artisans can still be observed to perform at the festival. Sfax remained intact through the years — some during the Ottoman in the ninth century. Built with clay working when visiting Dar Jellouli, centuries,” historian Wahid Lotfi rule, others during the French co- and stone, the mosque has two also known as the Museum of Arts London: Mokni said. “From afar, the medi- lonial era. The originals of the 12 domes and a 12-metre tall minaret and Folk Traditions. The museum October 19-November 5 na of Sfax always looks guarded gates, however, remain the most displaying Islamic geometric pat- offers an insight into the town’s and shielded.” fascinating with their displays of terns. Mokni said that the mosque unique culture and is a beautiful The Nour Festival of Arts high- beautiful Arabic inscriptions and has maintained its original fea- piece of architecture, constructed lights contemporary Middle The Medina of Sfax artwork. tures despite being bombed twice by a Muslim Andalusian refugee Eastern and North African arts is famous for its “The most important hallmark during the second world war. who fled religious persecution in and culture in venues across traditional markets of the town of Sfax is its medina Not far from the mosque is the Spain. Kensington and Chelsea in Lon- don. The festival programme that have retained as it is one of few medieval cities Kasbah of Sfax, with its military Named after its owner, wealthy that still preserve their original de- towers and artillery. merchant Mahmoud Jellouli, the features exhibitions, music, their authenticity sign and architecture,” Mokni said. The Medina of Sfax is famous for house became a cultural centre in cinema, food, talks and dance and continued to “These walls are the only ones that its traditional markets, which un- the 20th century, when it show- performances. host artisans. are still completed. like those of other old Tunisian cit- cased scenes from daily life in the “The walls of the Medina of Tu- ies, have retained their authentic- 18th century. Abu Simbel: The walls are among the city’s nis, for instance, were destroyed ity and continued to host artisans. “Dar Jellouli is a must-see,” said October 22 most majestic and captivating and only some gates remained but One of the medina’s famous souks Ahmed Charfi, president of the lo- hallmarks. Built in 850 during the the Medina of Sfax has remained is the Blacksmith Market, where cal NGO Sfax Mezyena. “It is one The Sun Festival at Abu Simbel rule of Aghlabid Prince Abu Abbas almost intact and is one of the only scenes from the 1996 movie “The of the elements of the medina takes place in February and Muhammad, they make up what remaining examples of the plan- English Patient” were filmed. that cannot be missed for it offers October in celebration of is believed to be one of the oldest ning of el-Koufa, the first Arabo- “People used to come to the a unique glimpse into the lives of Ramses II’s birthday. When forts in the Maghreb. Islamic city.” markets to watch the artisans of our ancestors. Ramses II built his temple, it Made of clay and stones, the It was listed as a UNESCO World wood and iron working. Other “It shows the daily lives of wom- was positioned so that, on his en as well as the rituals of artisans birthday and the date of his and their artefacts.” ascension to the throne, the Beyond its historical and archi- inner sanctum would be lit by tectural significance, Sfax is a great the rising sun, which would destination for bird lovers. The illuminate the statues of the Salina of Sfax, which has beauti- sun gods. Twice a year during ful scenery and hosts many bird the Abu Simbel Sun Festival, colonies, is one of the most beau- people gather at the temple tiful manifestations of the region’s along the banks of the Nile ecosystem. River to see the sun rise and “The Salina is the destination celebrate with food, dance and of migratory birds,” Charfi said. singing shows arranged by lo- “You can observe amazing types of cal performers. birds. It has one of the biggest colo- nies of laird birds in the world.” We welcome submissions of Steeped in history, Sfax is a town calendar items related to that displays beautiful architecture cultural events of interest to and scenery and a unique ecosys- travellers in the Middle East tem. It is easily accessed by train, and North Africa. bus, car or plane and is well-con- Please send tips to: nected to neighbouring towns and Vendors display the morning’s catch at the Sfax A view from the port of Sfax in south-eastern [email protected] fish market. (The Ministry of Tourism) Tunisia. (The Ministry of Tourism) Tunis..