5:30 PM
Opening of the session, welcome, and people’s introductions
6:00 PM
Introduction to the HANOUT sessions
Aymen Gharbi, Bettina Pelz
Since when Djerba is home for people?
We will introduce the Amazigh living in the region around Matmata, Tataouine, Medenine, and on Djerba.
Which are the oldest buildings that we can visit?
The state of conservation of most of the mosques which have been built since the 9th Century and regularly restored, is acceptable, as is that of the other major architectural elements of the property, such as other religious buildings.
How did Djerba’s self-sufficiency and defensive orientation profoundly influenced its architecture?
The traditional use of the island’s territory, combined with the daily life of its inhabitants, guided by the imperative of defence and self-sufficiency. The massive houch was devoid of openings to the outside and flanked by angular towers. The island’s many mosques were also designed with the ongoing insecurity in mind. With their short, squat shapes, arrow slits in the façades and crenelated terraces, they were often places of refuge and resistance. Several mosques dot the coastline, within earshot of each other, for surveillance and warning purposes and forming a first line of advanced defence; others, fortified and massive, form a second line of rear defence.
What is the famous settlement pattern that made Djerba part of UNESCO Cultural Heritage?
Djerba is a testimony to a settlement pattern in an island territory is an eminent example of spatial organization based on a dispersed settlement pattern and associated socio-economic system that evolved between the 9th and 18th centuries and reflected a symbiotic relationship between communities of diverse cultures and faiths who coexisted peacefully in Djerba and adapted their way of life to the conditions and restrictions of their water-scarce natural environment.
What is the water challenge?
Tunisia is an extremely water-scarce country. Water resources are being overexploited and groundwater reserves are depleting, some of which have taken many decades or even centuries to form. As a result, the groundwater level has been falling continuously for over 20 years. The responsible authorities are unable to stop uncontrolled withdrawals and to encourage all users to use water more sparingly.
9:00 PM
End
HANOUT Sessions
