New Book Release: "La Médina au Temps des Pachas Beys"
Architecture, Society, and Culture in the Heart of Tunis
A new book, "La Médina au Temps des Pachas Beys" (The Medina in the Time of the Pasha Beys), written by Mohamed-El Aziz Ben Achour, has been published by Editions Leaders. This is the fourth book in a series of erudite and passionate works dedicated to the capital of Tunisia. The book is a captivating read that reveals the secrets behind the richly decorated doors of the medina, presenting emblematic houses of a civilization, an era, and a culture.
A Journey Through the Medina
In the first chapter, "La Médina, ses demeures et ses monuments" (The Medina, its Homes and Monuments), the author takes readers on a tour of Dar el Bey (the Kasbah), Dar Abdelwahhab, Dar Djellouli, and Dar Husseïn. He also introduces readers to medersas, barracks, charitable institutions, and Tourbet el Bey. The medina is described as a "pious city" that lived with the reassuring certainty of being protected by a constellation of holy men and women.
Society and Life in the Medina
The second chapter, "La société et la vie" (Society and Life), focuses on the citizens, the "Baldi," families, and alliances, as well as life in the souks. The author evokes the art of living in the great outdoors during villégiatures in the surroundings of Tunis, the northern suburbs, and the Bardo and Manouba regions.
A Richly Illustrated Book
The book is accompanied by numerous photos, illustrations, plans, and sketches that allow readers to situate places and recognize characters. Written in an elegant and refined style, the book is both instructive and a pleasure to read.
About the Author
Mohamed-El Aziz Ben Achour is a doctor in Islamic civilization and a doctor of state in letters and human sciences. He has had a distinguished career as a researcher and director at the National Heritage Institute of Tunis. He has also served as Minister of Culture (2004-2008) and Director General of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) (2009-2013). The author has published several books on the history of Tunisia and the Arab world and regularly collaborates with the magazine Leaders.
Previous Works
Mohamed-El Aziz Ben Achour has published several books with Editions Leaders, including:
- "La Tunisie, La Méditerranée et l'Orient au miroir de l'histoire" (Tunisia, the Mediterranean, and the Orient in the Mirror of History) in 2019
- "Aux temps des émirs et des beys. Episodes de l'histoire tunisienne" (In the Time of the Emirs and Beys: Episodes from Tunisian History) in 2022
- "La Tunisie de jadis et de naguère à la rencontre de l'Occident et de l'Orient" (Tunisia of Yesteryear and Yesterday: Encounters with the West and the East) in 2024
According to a press release, this new book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and culture of Tunisia.
