TUNIS // There were curious sights in the ancient medina of Tunis last week. Under its black-and-white Ottoman arches people in Superman capes pranced, while dancers and actors improvised in narrow streets, past turquoise doors and trailing bougainvillaea.
Couples reclining in rooftop cabins admired the view of the Al Zaytuna mosque, long a centre of Islamic learning.
The occasion was the third edition of Dream City, a roughly biennial art festival based in the mansions and traditional workshops of the oldest part of the Tunisian capital and, this week, in the city of Sfax, 273 kilometres south.
Showcasing the work of about 100 artists, the project, funded by international cultural groups, aims to do many things - present art to citizens, bring people face-to-face with their history and tempt a rather elite cultural crowd into a neighbourhood where rich and poor, religious and secular, people live alongside one another.
Lofty aims, and ones that have been in place since the event was first created in 2007. But after last year's overthrow of the president, the festival's directors say that where they once faced autocratic oppression they now have to consider the "dictatorship of the people", as hardline Islamists take violent exception to much contemporary art. Since Dream City's last incarnation - in 2010 - the president, Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali, fell, and a chaotic period ensued for the creative world. A flowering of freedom was tempered by a surge in religious extremists who condemn some art.
Over the summer, galleries and concerts were subject to violent protests. The government, led by moderate Islamists Ennahda, wavers between arresting men who target artists, and calling for firm anti-blasphemy legislation that could criminalise "offensive" art.
"Under the old censorship and oppression - it was conspicuous; we could locate it; it was clear for us," said Sofiane Ouissi, who along with his sister, Selma, is the creative director of the festival.
"But now, since it was displaced, it has come into the public space, you never know where dictatorship is going to emerge." Mr Ouissi's hair breaks in chestnut waves over his shoulders, and he spoke mellifluous French during the interview in the house where the festival was headquartered for its five-day span.
In some ways he embodies the values that Ben Ali and his predecessor, Habib Bourguiba, insisted were the spirit of Tunisia: he is tolerant, secular, educated. And when he talks about his art collective's means of tiptoeing through the strictures of the old police state (finding indirect, subtle ways to express themselves, a careful self-censorship so that no explicit censorship was ever required), he outlines the way of life for millions of Tunisians for decades.
But today voices insisting that this is not, and never was, the Tunisian way have grown louder. Religious leaders who, rather than moderating their message under Ben Ali, spent time in jail have been released and grown in popularity. What can, on a good day, seem like a healthy political debate about the identity of the changed nation turns into something far nastier in dark moments such as September 14, when four people died in riots outside the American embassy over an anti-Muslim film trailer.
Dream City does not appeal to everyone. In one of the medina's narrow streets, Mohammed Arabi Bushnek, 32, was reading a prayer book while attending his stall selling scarves. Mr Bushnek, who was born in the medina, said he admired the area's "Islamic and Arabic spirit" and welcomed the clusters of first-time visitors consulting the festival's maps. But said that drawings, depictions of people and all theatre and dance were wrong, religiously speaking. While he would never condone violence, he looks forward to a day when religious police prevent such events from taking place. Also, business was not great and he would have liked it if the art lovers bought more scarves.
Many who appreciate art also agree to a degree with the idea that Tunisian identity is Islamic, and that there should be limits on freedom of expression. Selma, a 20-year-old architecture student, is by most standards elite and liberal. Touring exhibits with her stylish, unveiled girlfriends, she had sneaked into the medina because in the well-to-do suburb in which she lives, people consider the area dangerous.
But she said frankly, "I think there are some subjects that are better to avoid, and religion is a quite tricky subject …. When we talk about black people, it's racism, when we talk about gay people, it's homophobia but when we talk about religion, it's freedom of speech?"
It is a charged atmosphere, and the festival, while not taking big risks with its subject matter, has taken an explicitly political tone. As the festival blurb goes: "What a paradox to assert today that it is even more difficult than yesterday to be an artist in Tunisia! After a popular uprising which could (should) have generated more gratitude towards those who prompt public debate and disrupt the codes to arouse questions, we would have liked to declare the opposite."
Sofiane insists that while the language may have changed and the tone become more strident, the political dimension of art has long been there in the Arab world, and will be inevitable for some time to come. "I think this is the reality. Politics is omnipresent in the Arab world," he said. "Art has always dealt with politics and artists have always been activists against their will - because it's something you can't escape."
afordham@thenational.ae
Results
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,600m, Winner: Panadol, Mickael Barzalona (jockey), Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer)
6.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m, Winner: Mayehaab, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh85,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Monoski, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Eastern World, Royston Ffrench, Charlie Appleby
7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Madkal, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
8.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 1,200m, Winner: Taneen, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
CABINET%20OF%20CURIOSITIES%20EPISODE%201%3A%20LOT%2036
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
DUBAI CARNIVAL RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner Dubai Future, Harry Bentley (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm UAE 1000 Guineas Listed $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner Dubai Love, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
7.40pm Dubai Dash Listed $175,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner: Equilateral, James Doyle, Charles Hills.
8.15pm Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions $100,000 (D) 1.900m
Winner Laser Show, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.50pm Al Fahidi Fort Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Glorious Journey, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner George Villiers, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,000mm, Winners: Mumayaza, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m, Winners: Sharkh, Pat Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep - Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Harrab, Ryan Curatolo, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Gold Cup - Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
8pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner: Nibras Passion, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ismail Mohammed
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKinetic%207%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rick%20Parish%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Clean%20cooking%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
On sale: now
Price: from Dh195,000
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Producers: KRTI Productions, T-Series
Director: Sree Narayan Singh
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Divyenndu Sharma, Yami Gautam
Rating: 2/5
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
