Tunisia Way

Tunisia, a melting-pot of different civilizations, has always had a rich cultural activity, as testified by its prestigious museums and cultural institutions and by the various international festivals held throughout the year. Sustained efforts have been deployed to promote the cultural sector. The Heritage Code grants companies important tax breaks to encourage investments in restoration and protection of archaeological monuments (e.g. Cathedral of Carthage;) promulgation of legal texts allows free importation of books and paper destined for cultural purposes and the exemption from customs duties of musical instruments.

A whole strategy has been put in place to set up institutions serving as points of reference in the various domains of cultural activity. Among them, the National Dance Center of Borj El Baccouche, the House of Baron d'Erlanger converted into a Center for Arab and Mediterranean Music, and the Husseinite Museum (covering the period of the Beys) in the Palace of Ksar Said.

Other projects are in the process of completion, such as the Museum of Modern Art, located at the Palace of El Abdellia, and the National Cultural Center of Tunis. In addition, the International Cultural Center of Hammamet has been refurbished and transformed into the House of the Mediterranean, specializing mainly in theatrical arts. The institution of "Beit el Hikma" was converted into an Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters in order to better contribute to the cultural and intellectual activity of Tunisia. The academy also welcomes distinguished scholars wishing to conduct research in various fields and serves as a meeting place for debates and exchanges between researchers, scholars and artists.

A strategy was adopted , consisting in setting up institutions that can act as vibrant focal points in Tunisian cultural life.

Among these institutions one can mention Tunisia's new, state of the art National Library, the National Heritage Institute, the National Dance Center of Bordj El Baccouche, the Baron d'Erlanger Palace which is home to the Arab and Mediterranean music Centre, the Husseinite Museum (covering the Beylical period) at the Ksar Said Museum, within the Bardo Museum.

Other mega projects are also afoot which include Tunis "Culture city" , which will comprise several premises dedicated to arts (opera, theatre and music), a library, exhibit halls, a national archives arts center for new acquisitions, two cinemas, as well as a national museum of civilizations. On the other hand, the International Hammamet Cultural Center ( formerly, "Dar Sebastian") has been renovated to become "The House of the Mediterranean", specializing namely in dramatic arts.

"Beit El Hikma" or House of Wisdom, which is located in Carthage, has been promoted to the rank of "Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters", so as to better contribute to enrich Tunisia's cultural, intellectual and scientific activity.

The Academy also plays host to conferences, colloquia and a place of meeting for researchers, scholars and men of culture, committed to pursue their scholarly activities in an environment propitious to intellectual endeavour. Moreover in 2006, a National Translation Center has been set up with the aim of consolidating the presence of Tunisian cultural activity on the world cultural scene.