🇹🇳TunisiaNorth Africa
Tunisia reassures on UNESCO cultural heritage submissions, prioritizes Jebba and Mahdia costume
via Business News2 min read
Tunisia's Ministry of Cultural Affairs has clarified that exceeding the March 31 deadline for submitting intangible cultural heritage files to UNESCO does not lead to the exclusion of candidacies. The ministry confirmed that files can be submitted later, provided they meet all technical requirements. This statement was made in a written response to the Assembly of People's Representatives, addressing a question from MP Syrine Mrabet. The ministry is actively working to finalize two emblematic applications: the "Tunisian jebba" and the "Mahdia bride's costume." These are intended for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Through the National Heritage Institute, Tunisia regularly submits files, having successfully inscribed seven national cultural elements on this list to date. Particular priority is being given to the Tunisian jebba file due to its strong symbolic significance and deep roots in national history. The ministry stated that this file will be presented as a purely Tunisian candidacy, without the participation of other countries, to reflect its specificity. The delay in submitting these two files is attributed to several technical and scientific constraints. For the jebba, these include its transversal nature, the diversity of its regional variations, and the multiplicity of elements comprising the traditional costume, such as the chéchia, fermla, sarouel, and balgha. The ministry emphasized that preparing such files
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