News from Tunisia and Beyond
Carmen with Long Hair
The ballet of Carmen has been reprised at the Cité de la Culture, much to the delight of those who missed its first edition. The modern, original, and unprecedented choreography, combined with the admirable performance of the dancers, has made for a truly unforgettable experience. The troupe is set to embark on a lengthy tour of Europe, with over 20 performances scheduled, followed by another 20 in various capitals around the world.
One notable aspect of the choreography is its emphasis on the long hair of the ballerinas, which seems to play a crucial role in the performance. This has led to concerns about the potential exclusion of dancers with short hair.
El Seed's Oil
This season's most artistic and cool oil has been created by none other than the famous calligrapher El Seed. In his olive grove in Gabès, which was planted by his great-grandfather, El Seed has discovered a new vocation as an olive farmer. His first batch of oil has been a huge success, with its unique flavor, aroma, and personality. The oil is packaged in a limited-edition bottle designed by El Seed himself.
This agricultural-artistic collaboration will continue annually, with a new artist featured each year. The current season's batch is presented by the renowned Moroccan artist Hassan Hajjaj. El Seed aims to create a lasting link between creativity, heritage, and the richness of Tunisian flavors through these limited-edition releases.
Alaïa Forever
The Alaïa Foundation and the Dior Gallery will present a double event in Paris this November. The foundation will showcase an unprecedented exhibition of works by two masters of haute couture: Christian Dior and Azzedine Alaïa. The exhibition will feature a dialogue between 30 Dior models collected by Alaïa, who began his career at the famous fashion house, and an equal number of Alaïa's creations.
Meanwhile, the Dior Gallery will present over 100 pieces from Alaïa's astonishing collection, which has never been revealed before. This is a magnificent tribute to the legendary designer.
Tea at Saf Saf
The Mille Feuilles bookstore and Démeter publisher invited book lovers to a literary tea at Saf Saf last Sunday. The event featured the presentation of Béchir Garbouj's latest novel, "Les Ligaments Croisés".
New Release
The book "Les Femmes et l'Art au Maghreb" (Women and Art in the Maghreb) has been published by Le Fennec editions in Morocco. This beautiful book was edited by Nadia Sabri for Morocco and Rachida Triki for Tunisia. It was recently presented in Rabat and will soon be presented at Archivart in Tunis. The book is currently available at the IMA, Centre Pompidou, and Palais de Tokyo, and will soon be available in local bookstores.
Notable is the brilliant collaboration of our colleague and friend Sayda Ben Zineb on this project.
Elbi in Paris
Tunisian chefs are making a name for themselves abroad. Three months ago, Omar Dhiab opened his first restaurant in Paris, near the Place des Victoires, which was immediately awarded a Michelin star. Now, he has opened Elbi, a contemporary bistro where he serves dishes such as lacquered pigeons, tempura vine leaves, and a signature romaine braised in couscous juice.
As expected, the restaurant has been an instant success, and foodies have quickly discovered it.
