President Ben Ali announces a set of measures destined to promote culture
Tunis , June 28, 2008 (TunisiaOnline)--In an address made on the occasion of the National Culture Day on Saturday, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali announced a set of measures to promote culture in Tunisia .
These include:
- “expanded protection of copyrights of the code of literary and artistic property , as well as that of composers, performers, owners of audio recordings, radio and TV programs, and authors of digital contents and producers of their support” for which a draft amendment has been submitted to the Constitutional Council.
- The recent creation of a Higher Council for Culture “to serve as new space for dialogue among the administration, intellectuals, representatives of political parties and civil society organizations, on all issues pertaining to our cultural life”.
- The preparation of a program for the celebration of the centennial of Tunisian theatre in 2009.
- The organization of an enlarged consultation concerning books and reading in the country.
- The celebration of the centennial of Tunisia great poet Aboul Kacem El Chebbi.
- The preservation of Tunisia 's typical, architectural character.
- The speeding up of the works destined to enlarge the Bardo Museum , as well as bringing it to a par with international standards, “as one of the oldest and most important archaeological museums in the world”.
- The opening up of Tunisia 's museums on May 18 of each year, for the public, free of charge, in order to allow Tunisians “to take cognizance of their historical, cultural and civilizational heritage”.
President Ben Ali also voiced his conviction that Tunisian intellectuals “are aware of the rapid changes and huge challenges ahead” and that they are “keen on accomplishing their noble mission toward their society and their country”, vigilant and creative, “while seeking to reconcile knowledge and action, and the commitment to the causes of the country and the openness to other people, cultures and civilizations”.
During a ceremony preceding the address, President Ben Ali was awarded the respective shields of the Arab Writers' Union , of the Arab Academy of Music and of Arab-African Cultural Institute.
He also decorated several men and women of culture with the insignia of the order of merit, as a token of recognition of their role in the promotion of culture.
President Ben Ali further awarded the Tunisian filmmaker, Abdellatif Kechiche with the Maghrebi Prize of culture.
He also handed several other awards, including the “Hedi Laabidi” and the “Tahar Haddad” journalism and information Awards for 2007-2008, to Tunisian journalists who distinguished themselves.
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