TUNIS: President Kais Saied stressed the crucial importance of culture during a meeting with Minister of Culture Amina Srarfi at the Carthage Palace on Tuesday, saying that culture is a “sovereign sector.” “Without a national culture, many goals cannot be achieved, including the fight against intellectual alienation and all kinds of extremism that obscure free thought,” he was quoted as saying in a statement from the Presidency of the Republic.

According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, the Head of State emphasized that Tunisia’s international festivals, such as the Carthage Festival, the Hammamet Festival, the Film and Theatre Days, and others, need to be reformed to achieve the objectives for which they were created. He noted that “The Carthage Theatre was once considered the culmination of an artist’s career, and the Cinema Days were days for films committed to the struggle for freedom and just causes,” underscoring the need for these festivals to regain their prominence both nationally and internationally
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The statement continued to assert that “Tunisia must be a source of creativity and brilliance and a Mecca for high art and creative people.” The President also recalled the role of educational institutions in motivating young people to learn various arts and encouraging them to be creative. He called for greater coordination among different parties to ensure that cultural centres and associations can play a pivotal role in strengthening the national identity of pupils and students and encouraging them to think freely.

During the meeting, the President highlighted the necessity for a unified effort by all state institutions to preserve Tunisia’s historic heritage. The statement noted that Tunisia’s history is not solely confined to Carthage but extends back some 7,000 years with the emergence of the Cypriot civilization. It acknowledged that many landmarks have been neglected and numerous monuments have been confiscated, necessitating restoration efforts.