Tunisia Prepares to Nominate Traditional Jebba for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs is preparing a nomination dossier to inscribe the traditional Tunisian jebba on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. This announcement was made on Thursday, October 2, by Wajida Skouhi, Director of the Palace of Letters and Arts "Le Palais Enchanté" in Bardo, during a meeting attended by Shiraz Saïed, General Director of Heritage, Tarek Bakkouch, General Director of the National Heritage Institute (INP), and Rabia Bel Fekira, General Director of the Agency for the Promotion of Heritage and Cultural Development.
According to Skouhi, this project represents "international recognition of the value of this traditional costume, a symbol of national identity and collective memory of Tunisians." She emphasized that the inscription of the jebba would enhance Tunisia's cultural influence and ensure the preservation of this heritage for future generations, thanks to a collaborative effort with experts and civil society organizations.
Other Cultural Heritage Projects
The General Director of the INP, Tarek Bakkouch, explained that the delay in the development project of the Carthage National Museum is due to disputes with a German consulting firm. He indicated that a new partner has been solicited to relaunch the project according to international standards, while specifying that the institute is simultaneously working on the digitization of archaeological collections.
Bakkouch also recalled that Tunisia has over 45,000 registered archaeological sites and that the INP is working with national and international partners on restoration and protection projects for these sites.
Investment in Archaeological Sites
For her part, Rabia Bel Fekira highlighted the investments aimed at restoring and enhancing archaeological sites, as well as the introduction of new protection technologies, including surveillance and intelligent lighting systems that will cover all major sites by 2027.
National Heritage Strategy
Shiraz Saïed affirmed that the national strategy is based on digitization, heritage enhancement, and civil society involvement, emphasizing the need to create a participatory framework ensuring the sustainability and funding of the sector.
This initiative demonstrates Tunisia's commitment to preserving its rich cultural heritage and promoting its unique traditions, such as the jebba, on the international stage.
