Tunisian Bloggers Meet at Douz International Sahara Festival

Youcef Baaloudj, an Algerian blogger and writer presenting his book on the Tunisian Revolution

Tunisian bloggers and social-networking activists met for the first time since the revolution in the south-western Tunisian town of Douz on December 24th and 25th. The event was hosted during the 44th Douz Sahara Festival. The meeting attracted Tunisian professionals in social networking, personnel in the IT sector, academics, and high school students, many of whom were eager to learn the basics of blogging in post-revolution Tunisia.
The Douz Sahara Festival kicked-off its third day with the Tunisian Blogs First Meetup Workshop at the Douz Public Library. The workshop opened with its co-organizer, Abdelkarim Ben Abdallah, and a member of the Committee for the Organization of Douz Sahara Festival (and an active blogger from Douz), Chiheb Ben Nasr. The speakers highlighted the role of bloggers during the Tunisian Revolution, and welcomed social-networking activists to share their experiences with fellow bloggers and newcomers (newbies) in the blogosphere.

Sofiane Chourabi moderating an open debate on role of blogs and alternative media

Approximately 20 bloggers came to the workshop to share their passion for blogging with others from different parts of Tunisia. The special presence of the 24 year-old Algerian blogger and writer, Youcef Baaloudj was one of the highlights of the workshop. Baalouj wrote his first book about the Tunisian Revolution entitled, On Her Front a Revolution and a Book: Post-Revolution Tunisian Conversations (“??? ?????? ???? ?????”) in 2011. His work includes conversations with Tunisian politicians, bloggers, and writers throughout the Tunisian Revolution.

Other Tunisian bloggers also shared their experiences pertaining to the Tunisian Revolution. Key speakers included Sofiane Chourabi, a blogger-turned-journalist and editor-in-chief of an independent Tunisian weekly magazine Al Kandil. He is currently the president of the Tunisian association “ConsciencesPo” for Youth Political Education. An open debate, moderated by Chourabi, stressed the role played by blogs and alternative media in post-revolution Tunisia.

Azyz Amamy, known as Azyz 405, offered a presentation about the commercial potential of blogging vs. journalism, ethics in media, and a number of other subjects related to the role of internet activism. The workshop also provided insight to those interested in creating their own blogs, addressing writing techniques and how to create a blog.

Camels after the race

The session was an ideal occasion for bloggers, journalists, and professionals interested in social media to experience life in Douz during the International Sahara Festival.

Abdelkarim Ben Abdallah, Chiheb Ben Nasr, and the conference’s participants agreed the meeting was successful in resolving misunderstandings about blogging , opening the subject to a wider audience, and bringing bloggers together to make themselves heard in the new media world.