The recent event surrounding the promotional video for domestic tourism in Tunisia made by the famous content creator, Fatma Bououn, has sparked a lively debate among Tunisians, especially those living abroad. Published as part of a promotional campaign by the Ministry of Tourism Touneslik, the video has attracted the attention of millions of people on social networks. However, its content has divided public opinion regarding its message and its representation of Tunisian reality.
In this video, Fatma Bououn plays the role of a mother at her daughter’s wedding, offering her a symbolic necklace representing the borders of Tunisia. This gesture is supposed to remind the bride of her attachment to the country through her memories of traveling through its different regions. The mother then imposes a condition on her future daughter-in-law: never leave Tunisia. This last part of the video has been criticized by some Internet users, especially Tunisians living abroad, who believe that linking patriotism exclusively to physical presence in the country is reductive.
Sarah Zina, a visual artist based in France and very committed to her country, disagreed by pointing out that patriotism can be expressed in different ways, even from a distance. She points out that Tunisians abroad contribute significantly to the country’s economy, sometimes surpassing tourism revenues. The video’s message has also been criticized for its idealized vision of the socio-economic reality in Tunisia, ignoring the difficulties that push many Tunisians to leave their country in search of better opportunities.
It is undeniable that Fatma Bououn’s video has generated an essential debate on the notion of patriotism and on the representation of Tunisia abroad. The message conveyed by the video invites a deeper reflection on the diversity of forms of attachment to a country and on the contribution of Tunisians abroad to the development of their nation of origin. This controversy underlines the importance of rethinking discourses on national identity and recognizing the wealth brought by the Tunisian diaspora to the international scene.
Ultimately, the video promoting domestic tourism in Tunisia had the merit of provoking critical reflection and challenging some simplistic representations. This highlights the need for a more nuanced and inclusive approach to reflect the diversity and complexity of Tunisian reality, both locally and internationally.