Most recent articles by Sarah Mersch
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Arab Spring ten years onTunisia is paralysed by a political culture of consensus
Recent unrest shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who's followed Tunisia's trajectory. The image of the North African country as the only "survivor" of the uprisings in the region is misleading, writes Sarah Mersch
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Tunisian film "Dachra"Horror meets black magic
Long queues outside the cinemas and tickets like gold dust. Tunisiaʹs first horror film "Dachra" is currently smashing box-office records across the country. By Sarah Mersch
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Urban development in TunisiaKeeping the speculators out of Tunis
While there is a gradual reawakening of interest among the inhabitants of the Tunisian capital in their historical old town, the cityʹs colonial districts are at risk of falling prey to property speculators. Sarah Mersch on the development of Tunis
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Tunisia's ″Cemetery for the Unknown″The gravedigger of Zarzis
Every year, the bodies of migrants who die trying to cross the Mediterranean wash ashore in Tunisia. Sarah Mersch met the man who holds funerals for the deceased, affording them the respect that was often lacking during their lifetime
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Tunisia seven years after the Arab SpringFacing an uncertain future
The Tunisian revolution, considered the catalyst for the movement that became known as the Arab Spring, began seven years ago. Today, Tunisia is still struggling to achieve democratic reform and economic growth. By Sarah Mersch
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A new age dawns for Tunisian cinemaPress reboot!
With young Tunisian directors winning international awards, the decision to finally go ahead with a long-planned cinematheque, and a careful festival relaunch, the signs are all there: the winds of change are blowing in the Tunisian film sector. By Sarah Mersch in Tunis
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Hamza Meddeb on the "No Future" generationTunisia's ticking time bomb
Political scientist Hamza Meddeb is critical of the Tunisian authorities, which prefer to focus exclusively on security aspects in the war against terror, rather than launching efforts to genuinely address the causes of youth radicalisation. Interview by Sarah Mersch
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Interview with Sihem Bensedrine"We mustn't forget what happened!"
Tens of thousands of people who suffered at the hands of Ben Ali's dictatorship have made submissions for compensation to the Tunisian Truth and Dignity Commission. The first public hearings were held in mid November. Sarah Mersch spoke to Sihem Bensedrine, president of the commission
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Tunisia's TV spoofLook who's coming to dinner!
This Ramadan, opinions are divided over a hidden camera television show being broadcast in Tunisia. The presumed protagonist: the former ruler Ben Ali. Does the programme trivialise the dictatorship, or is it an intelligent wake-up call? By Sarah Mersch in Tunis
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Corruption in TunisiaWhy look to Panama?
For Tunisia, the Panama Papers' revelations could not have come at a better time: after a long period of inactivity, they could put the wind back in the sails of the country’s lacklustre fight against corruption. Sarah Mersch reports from Tunis
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Interview with Slim Laghmani on Tunisia′s national crisis″We′re halfway there″
In the medium term, it′s neither political nor economic problems that pose the greatest threat to democratic change in Tunisia, but rather the country′s national crisis, says Slim Laghmani, a legal scholar at the University of Carthage. Sarah Mersch spoke to him
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″Art of Freedom. Freedom of Art″ in TunisiaCarving out a niche between terror and bureaucracy
Resulting from political changes in the wake of the Arab Spring five years ago, Tunisian artists have gained more freedom. But, as Sarah Mersch writes, those rights are under threat – from religious fanaticism and government pressure