The Second Edition of the Regional ARTITERROIR Competition Concludes
The second edition of the ARTITERROIR regional competition—organized by the Regional Delegation of the Tunisian National Office of Handicrafts (ONAT) and the Hub Design Nabeul, with support from the PAMPAT project (UNIDO/SECO)—was wrapped up during a ceremony held last Tuesday at Dar Machat.
Theme and Participants
- Theme: “Nabeul’s Terroir Products, a Source of Inspiration for Local Handicrafts.”
- Participants: 23 artisans representing various crafts, most notably ceramics, the emblematic artisanal product of the region.
- Highlights: The entries showcased innovative and creative techniques, illustrating the evolution of traditional know‑how into contemporary forms.
Featured Terroir Products
The competition celebrated three flagship products of Nabeul’s terroir:
- Bigaradier (Myrtle) Flower – a strong sensory and agricultural symbol of the area.
- Harissa – represented by its core ingredient, the red chili pepper.
- Prickly‑Pear (Fig) of Bouargoub – renowned for its superior quality.
These products served as inspiration for handcrafted objects designed as meaningful gifts and souvenirs.
Winners of the 2nd Edition
| Prize | Winner | Craft | Inspiration | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Place | Mr. Lotfi Boughzela | Glass painting | Red chili pepper of harissa | “I wanted to translate the symbolic power of the red chili through a contemporary artistic approach that highlights our culinary identity.” |
| 2nd Place | Ms. Maha Mami | Ceramics (2 pieces) | Myrtle flower | “The myrtle flower is a strong sensory symbol of Nabeul; I chose to showcase it with finely modeled relief décor to underline its delicacy and elegance.” |
| 3rd Place | Ms. Rahma Bouaoun (also a laureate in 2025) | Ceramics | Prickly‑pear fig | “After my first distinction in 2025, I wanted to take on a new challenge by offering a revisited interpretation of the prickly‑pear fig through a contemporary lens.” |
Beyond the Competition
The contest aims to strengthen the link between handicrafts, agriculture, and tourism. By developing objects inspired by terroir products, artisans enrich the market of authentic souvenirs that cater to cultural and alternative tourism—complementary to the region’s beach tourism. These creations allow visitors to take home a piece of Nabeul’s identity through unique, territory‑anchored pieces.
Upcoming Exhibition
All award‑winning pieces will be displayed in a dedicated space during the Artisan Creation Fair (Salon de la Création Artisanale), scheduled 27 March – 5 April 2026 at the Kram Exhibition Park. This platform will give the laureates national visibility.
Strategic Context
Since last year, ONAT has placed greater emphasis on terroir products, collaborating closely with actors from the agri‑food and tourism sectors to position handicrafts as a pillar of the region’s tourist attractiveness.
The ceremony was attended by representatives from UNIDO Tunisia, the Swiss Embassy, and members of the steering committee of the National Strategy for Valorisation and Promotion of Terroir Products. This strategy—initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and Fisheries in partnership with the Agency for Promotion of Agricultural Investments (APIA)—seeks to structure and promote terroir products as levers for economic development and tourism appeal.
Implementation is backed by the PAMPAT project (Access to Markets for Agri‑Food and Terroir Products), executed by UNIDO and funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
National Roll‑Out: Kairouan Pilot
As part of the nationwide deployment of the ARTITERROIR competition, the Kairouan region serves as the second pilot zone. The first edition of the competition is currently underway there, with results to be announced soon.
Kairouan’s entries focus on three emblematic local products:
- Prickly‑Pear Fig of El Ala
- Rose
- Oueslati Olive Oil
This expansion confirms the intention to replicate the model across other regions, creating synergies among agriculture, handicrafts, and tourism and generating additional local value‑added.
Source: Official Press Release
