The Dream City festival in Tunis: When art takes over the medina
The medina of Tunis vibrated for more than two weeks to the sounds of the Dream City festival. This cultural event, which is in its ninth edition, has captured the hearts of young people in search of artistic discoveries. Between exhibitions, installations, debates, dance and concerts, Dream City has created a real buzz in the medina. But this festival is not only limited to entertaining, it also aims to breathe new life into forgotten or abandoned places in the medina and to contribute to the revaluation of its heritage.
In the heart of the medina of Tunis, on the roof of an old church restored as a cultural center, two young dancers perform a choreography entitled “Good mourning”, which illustrates the ten years of post-revolution transition in Tunisia. Maha Baaziz, a 27-year-old master’s student in cinema, was won over by this performance. “I loved the out-of-phase aspect, the fact that they played on the unpredictability of their movements. It perfectly reflects the state of mind of everyone here: we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, we don’t “We’re sure of nothing,” she confides.
To reach the El Attarine Barracks, built in 1813 and transformed into a library during the French Protectorate, you have to go deep into the streets of the old town. Zeineb Ettaieb, a 21-year-old architecture student and volunteer for Dream City, takes the opportunity to discover this forgotten heritage. “This is what I appreciate about Dream City, it allows us to discover little-known and unfortunately poorly maintained places. I hope that their reopening will generate new impetus for their restoration,” she confides.
Behind Dream City is Art Rue, a Tunisian association committed to the inclusion of young people in the medina and the promotion of art and culture. Sofian Ouissi, dancer, choreographer and co-founder of Art Rue and the festival, explains that despite the threats to freedom of expression and the uncertain political situation, Dream City assumes its political and social commitment with each edition. “We defend respect for individual freedoms and we are committed to the dignity of every citizen. We have existed for 16 years and our commitment is total,” he says.
Despite the crisis and the emergencies they face, the committed artists of Dream City continue to push the limits and question the values of society. Sofian Ouissi also highlights the positive collaboration with the institutions and the Minister of Culture, who opened the doors of the festival this year.
Dream City ended on October 8, 2023, with around forty works exhibited, bringing together artists from 18 different countries. The themes covered during this edition were varied, ranging from revolutions to ecological transition through anti-racist and feminist struggles..
The medina of Tunis was thus able to live to the rhythm of art, with artistic installations which amazed visitors, dance performances which made the streets vibrate and concerts which set the evenings ablaze. Dream City has captivated a public hungry for culture and has brought new life and value to the heritage of the medina. A great success for this committed festival which continues to make an impression year after year.