Couple in Sidi Bou Said

Couple in Sidi Bou Said

The dramatic and deep changes which rolled through Tunisia after the 2011 revolution overturned the political, social and economic life in the country. How did the young generation find themselves in this new situation?

Hopes are mixed with disappointments. Young people share their expectations and anxieties, typical for their age, for their education and employment: Aisha would like to find a job which suits her skills; Hosni believes in not only political but also cultural change after the overthrow of dictator Ben Ali; Ayman believes that only strict following of the Quran can bring a decent personal and political life; Asma and Ahmed are busy with preparation for their wedding; and Muhammad blames politicians for corruption while Souha would like to see Tunisia on a path of fast changes towards a more tolerant society.

Political and economical instability combined with recent events caused by violent Salafists – the radical islamist group – undermined the mood of relief and excitement common immediately  following revolution. The countryside, which is already under a great influence of the Salafi movement, and the cosmopolitan, westernized big cities like Tunis and Sousse need to achieve a peaceful coexisting if there is to be any stable development.

Is it possible? Tunisians would say ”Only God knows the answer”. Indeed, there are no commentators or political experts who would be sure about the direction Tunisia will take in the future.

Tom Szustek
www.uspecto.com
www.tomszustek.com

 

Pedestrians walk through a busy street in Sousse

Sousse

Aicha, student, hopes for job after graduation

Aicha, a student, hopes for a job after graduation

Majd, poet, performs at the Amnesty International meeting in Tunis

Majd, a poet, performs at the Amnesty International meeting in Tunis

Tunis clock tower at night

Tunis clock tower at night

Hosni, student, an optimist, hopes for not only political but also cultural change

Hosni, student, an optimist, hopes for not only political but also cultural change

Men sit at the café, Tunis

Men sit in a café, Tunis

View from train heading to Sfax

View from train heading to Sfax

Lotfi, egg seller in Tunis

Lotfi, egg seller in Tunis

Two women walk at the street in Tunis

Two women walk at the street, Tunis

Asma and Ahmed at the park, Tunis

Asma and Ahmed in the park, Tunis

Tarik, mobile phones seller in Tunis

Tarik, a mobile phone seller, Tunis

Pedestrians walk in the front of El Fateh mosque in Tunis

Pedestrians walk in the front of El Fateh Mosque, Tunis

Students at the main avenue in Tunis

Students, Tunis

Ayman, hopes of bigger influence of Islam in Tunisia

Ayman, hopes for a greater influence of Islam in Tunisia

Men sit at the restaurant in Kairouan

Kairouan

Man rides a scooter through the street in north Tunis

North Tunis

Pedestrians walk through a busy street in Sousse

Sousse

Students at the main avenue in Tunis

Students, Tunis

Teenagers playing cards in a café in Tunis

Teenagers playing cards in a café in Tunis

Couple walks at the street in Tunis

Tunis

Teenagers plays snooker at the café in Kairouan

Kairouan

Muhammad, a pessimist, blames politicians for corruption

Muhammad, a pessimist, blames politicians for corruption

City walls in Sousse

City walls in Sousse

Women walks out of the house, Kairouan

Kairouan

Jeweher, student from Tunis

Jeweher, a student from Tunis

Souha, believes in social and economic progress in Tunisia

Souha, believes in social and economic progress in Tunisia

Man sits in front of the house, Kairouan

Man sits in front of the house, Kairouan