The Bab Jedid Institute in Sousse Embarks on a New Life
The Bab Jedid Institute in Sousse, closed for over three decades, is set to undergo a major transformation. The rehabilitation work on this historic building, constructed in 1900, was officially launched on Monday, September 8, 2025, with the goal of converting it into a multipurpose cultural center serving the local community and region.
A Historic Building Reborn
Classified as a historic monument in January 2021 by the Ministry of Culture, the Bab Jedid Institute had long been abandoned, sparking concern and repeated calls from civil society and local associations. The municipality of Sousse, in partnership with several international organizations, has finally brought to life a long-awaited rehabilitation project.
Project Details
The total cost of the operation is estimated at 5 million dinars, with funding provided by the International Association of Francophone Mayors (AIMF) and the city of Lozas (Switzerland), while the preliminary studies received support from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. According to initial estimates, the duration of the work is expected to be around 18 months, or approximately one and a half years.
A Multipurpose Cultural Space for the Radiance of Sousse
The architect in charge of the project, Manel Makhlouf, specified that the rehabilitation aims to restore the building's heritage luster while adapting it to contemporary needs. The future cultural center will include rooms dedicated to artistic and educational activities, an auditorium, a digital library, a movie theater, a theater, as well as a cultural café and restaurant spaces.
A Vibrant and Inclusive Space
The municipality of Sousse intends to make this location a vibrant and inclusive space, capable of animating the neighborhood's life and strengthening the city's cultural attractiveness. The initiative also aims to enhance an emblematic architectural heritage, which has been left abandoned for too long since the Institute's closure in 1994.
Beyond Restoration: A Project of Cultural Dynamism
Beyond the restoration of a historic building, this project embodies a desire to reconcile heritage memory and cultural dynamism. The transformation of the Bab Jedid Institute is part of a broader approach to rehabilitate the city center and enhance Sousse's historic monuments.
A Victory for Heritage and Culture
Civil society, which has long advocated for the preservation of this site, sees this construction project as a victory for heritage and culture. In the long term, the new center is expected to become a major cultural and social hub, promoting access to culture for all and contributing to the revitalization of the urban fabric.
