In Arabic or in French, Tunisian literature in full revival

While the Tunis International Book Fair is making its return after two years of absence due to Covid, publishers are planning a scramble for books that will benefit from the traditional 20% discount until November 21.

About twenty countries are represented for the 36th edition, which puts Mauritania in the spotlight, with 150 Tunisian exhibitors and 300 Arab and international publishers.

For the writer Yamen Manai, whose fifth novel in French "Bel Abîme" was published in September, there is "a revival of the Tunisian literary scene, many bloggers and influencers, a craze for certain releases of books and writers that the public is beginning to follow and encourage ".

"Relive"

In his eyes, "it is the consequence of the turmoil that the country experienced after the revolution (of 2011), we want to relive after years of inaction".

Tunisian writer Yamen Manai poses for a photo session on November 9, 2021 in Paris JOEL SAGET AFP

Under the regime of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, no book came out without the blank check from the censorship office, he recalls.

Today, Tunisian literature can "tackle previously taboo themes such as sexuality, intimacy," the writer recently explained to AFP.

Its editor Elisabeth Daldoul, Palestinian-Tunisian founder, in 2005, of the Elyzad house, who accompanies other renowned authors like Ali Bécheur, draws up a similar observation.

"For the older generations, there were subjects they did not talk about. The younger ones do not put this pressure on themselves" and are "much less padlocked", according to her.

Elyzad, devoted internationally in 2021 with the Goncourt of the Premier novel (Emilienne Malfatto with "Que sur toi se laments le Tigre"), offers "novels at Tunisian prices (around 10 dinars, around 3 euros) so that people can access it, ”explains Ms. Daldoul, who has her books printed in Tunisia. While she was one of the pioneers, there are now "about twenty (local) editors, including five in French," she says.

The manager of the famous El Kitab bookstore on Avenue Bourguiba in Tunis confirms the boom in Tunisian literature, particularly in "derja", the local Arabic dialect.

He describes the novel "Hestiriya" by author Faten Fazaa, who dares to break taboos on prostitution and homosexuality, as a "book-phenomenon".

"In less than a month, we sold 800 copies, 38 per day on average," Jamel Chérif told AFP.

Visitors to the 36th edition of the Tunis International Book Fair on November 12, 2021 FETHI BELAID AFP

Such a success is explained, according to him, by the original choice to write in Tunisian Arabic: "even someone who has never held a book can read it. And his books speak of everyday life with sometimes intimate stories" .

Another success: the works of Hassanine Ben Ammou, which relate, by mixing literary Arabic and dialect, Tunisian history through the life of endearing characters ("Rahmana" for example).

"Political will"

"With the current situation in Tunisia, marked by a political, economic and health crisis, readers (...) are looking for books that tell about their daily lives, talk about their society, their traditions and their way of life", analyzes Mr. Cherif.

No doubt also that the "price factor explains the strong demand for Tunisian books because they are much cheaper than the others", he says.

With comparable purchasing power, "it is as if an imported book was sold at 340 euros", explains Ms. Daldoul, stressing that "this problem arises throughout the Maghreb".

For the editor, the taste of Tunisians for books needs to be encouraged.

"Since 2011, many book clubs have flourished all over the country, they will probably produce vocations," she said.

Even if rare are the bookstores outside Tunis or large cities like Sfax or Bizerte.

Visitors to the 36th edition of the Tunis International Book Fair on November 12, 2021 FETHI BELAID AFP

In a country "long a precursor" with 400 public libraries, today "often moribund or transformed into reading rooms", "it would take political will, promote books at school, train librarians, etc.", pleads she does.

And, by associating publishers and reading clubs, "it would not take much", estimates Ms. Daldoul, for people to push open the doors of bookstores more easily and for libraries "to become places of exchange once again".

© 2021 AFP