ART GALLERIES

There are presently about 50 art Galleries hosting all kinds of exhibitions by international and Tunisian artists. Among these galleries, the "House of Live Arts" in Belvedere-Tunis, the "Galerie Yahia" in Tunis, the "Galerie Essaadi" in Carthage, the "Galeries Cherif Fine Arts and Ammar Farhat" in Sidi Bou Said, the "Espace Ken" in Bouficha, the "Espace Mille-Feuille" in La Marsa and the "Galerie la Kasbah" in Sfax.

CINEMA

The Carthage international film festival, created in 1962, is held every two years. It is also in Tunisia that the Federation of African Film Directors was born in 1970.

Tunisian cinema, though relatively young, is a very rich and diversified form of artistic expression. Productions include most genres (action films, social exposes, dramas, political essays, etc.). Films, like Ferid Boughedir's "Halfaouine", and Moufida Tlatli's "The Silences of the Palace" have won international acclaim.

Tunisia is increasing the shooting location for major international film productions. Recently shot fims include Star Wars and The English Patient.

THEATER

Tunisian theater was marked in the fifties by the contribution of an outstanding man of the stage, Ali Ben Ayed, whose dedication lead to the birth of private troupes.

The Ministry of Culture later set up the National Theater (the Palace of Kheireddine,) the Regional Drama Centers of El Kef and Gafsa and the National Puppet Center.

MUSIC

Tunisian music is characterized by the diversity of its modes (Maqamat) and its variety of rhythms. Among the main forms of classical Tunisian music, there is the Nouba (oldest and most authentic form of Andalusian origin,) the Chghoul and the Bachraf (of Turkish origin.)

In addition, Tunisian music has also been influenced by "Foundou" and "Zindali", two main popular forms of music.

The Arab Orient (mainly Egypt, Syria and Lebanon) has also had an influence on Tunisian music. The Rashidia Institute, created in 1934 to preserve, teach and promote the national heritage, public and private music schools, and the National Broadcasting System (created in 1938,) all have contributed to the development of Tunisian music and helped it reach wider audiences.

Among the best known Tunisian musicians, singers and composers are Khemais Tarnane, Raoul Journou, Saliha, Saleh Mehdi, Ali Riahi and Hedi Jouini.

MUSEUMS

Tunisian museums contain invaluable masterpieces. Housed in a former nineteenth century Beylical Palace, The Bardo Museum boasts the largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world. Other renowned museums include:

• The Archeological Museum of Carthage
• The Museum of Kairouan (Islamic Arts)
• The Museum of El Jem (Roman Coliseum)
• The Museum and Ribat of Monastir (History and Folk Traditions)
• The Art and Folk Traditions Museum (Dar Ben Abdallah-Tunis)
• The Dar Chraiet Museum -Tozeur (Folk Traditions-Private)