La Presse: Celebrating Patriotism and Tunisian History
Since 2015, October 20th has become an unmissable event in Tunis for history, identity, and heritage enthusiasts. The "Tourathna" (Our Heritage) association, which works to preserve Tunisian heritage, organizes the annual "Kharjet El Alam" flag march to pay tribute to the national flag.
The 10th Edition of Kharjet El Alam
The 10th edition of the event, marking the 198th anniversary of the creation of the Tunisian flag, took place on Sunday, October 19th, from 10 am to 3 pm. The procession started from the Tunis Municipal Theater and ended at the Ibn Khaldoun statue, accompanied by the national anthem, majorettes from Ksar Hellal, and numerous citizens, young and old, proudly waving the flag.
Read more about the event View photos of the event Watch videos of the event Learn more about the history of the Tunisian flag Discover the importance of the event Read testimonials from participants
Anchoring Love for the Homeland
In an interview with La Presse, the president of the Tourathna association, Zine el Abidine Belhareth, emphasized that the event goes beyond a symbolic gesture: "It's a meeting that aims to achieve several objectives, the most important of which is to instill love for the homeland and Tunisian identity in Tunisians, while correcting false information about our flag, which remains the oldest in the Arab-Muslim region. Our goal is also to reconcile our country with its millennia-long history, marked by numerous civilizations."
A Rich Program
The program for the day was rich in activities, including drawing workshops for children, an exhibition of plastic arts tracing the history of the flag, and a choral performance by young talents in front of the Municipal Theater. There were also parades of young girls and boys with the Tunisian flag. The event brought together several associations, such as the Tunisian Scouts and the Tunisian Red Crescent, with the support of public institutions, including the Regional Delegation for Cultural Affairs in Tunis.
A Flag Rich in History
The origin of the Tunisian flag dates back to 1827, in the context of the Navarin naval battle, in which the Tunisian fleet was decimated. To distinguish its ships from other fleets, Bey Hussein II decided to create a flag specific to Tunisia. It was not until 1831 that the flag was officially adopted. Recognized today as the oldest flag in the Arab-Muslim world and the fourth oldest in the world after those of Scotland, Denmark, and France, the Tunisian flag is more than just a symbol. It is a shared memory and embodies our national identity. Every year, the march organized in its honor reinforces this sense of belonging, especially among young people, by inscribing them in a collective history made up of struggles, strong symbols, and future perspectives.
