The Joy of Writing Our Own Story

Safouane Ben Haj Ali
Sep 30
1 min read

Updated: Oct 6

Neighbors gathered outside a Tunisian storefront at night, arched entry, warm lights, blue door

When you search for Tunisia in English, you often find travel blogs, guidebooks, or newspaper articles written from the outside. They’re not wrong, but they don’t sound like us.

And when Tunisians write, it’s usually in French. For more than a century, that has been the language of our books, press, and cultural exports. English was never our default, so the world met us through translation.

That’s why Tunisia online often feels distant. Like we’re there, but not speaking directly.

We thought it was time to change that. Not with speeches or explanations, just with presence. Writing in English, in our own rhythm, is our way of saying: here we are.

What does it look like? It looks like jasmine walks at sunset. Like a fouta softening with every wash. Like pottery made to last. Like sweets carried in a box when visiting a friend.

Every blog we publish is not only a story, it’s Tunisia, speaking in its own words. And that’s a joy for us.