“A large and quality presence” marked this “beautiful and moving” presentation of the book “Tunisian Emerites”, Sunday morning at the Al Kitab Mutuelleville bookstore. Families, relatives, friends and researchers came to celebrate a collective work paying tribute to 40 personalities, written hot following their death by 33 contributors. “The diversity of the courses is matched only by distinction and excellence” as Mohamed El Aziz Ben Achour said who knew with his customary talent and his erudite refinement present the book and moderate the debates. Fayza Kéfi will add how inspiring these stories are and will show the way to young generations.
The testimonies will not miss. Dr. Amine Bouker will report little -known scenes experienced with the illustrious painter Jellal Ben Abdallah, reporting new anecdotes. He will say how a Gran Table of the Master appears to the People’s Museum in Beijing, offered by President Habib Bourguiba. Or another, restoring a game of chess, chosen by Bourguiba to put it back to the Iran’s chah, in a nod to the chah of chess. Or, the poster touting the quality of Tunisian wine, with a woman holding her full glass, for the international promotion of this local product.
Dr. Hédi Ben Maïze will return to the work of Dr. Hassouna Ben Ayed. Mohamed Bennour will forcefully evoke personal memories, the memory of Ahmed Mestiri, in the presence of his widow and his children present.
Neila Abdellah, who had accompanied her husband the Slaheddine Ambassador Abdellah, recently deceased, in various positions abroad, from Tripoli, Beirut, Addis Ababa, Cairo, Rabat or New York, will create surprise. Invited to speak, she will begin by emphasizing that the life of a diplomat is not as festive as you might think. She will cite very difficult moments experienced in Beirut, in the midst of the war of armed factions and the personal dangers which were not only aimed at the ambassador but the whole family. Without wanting to go into the details, Ms. Abdellah elegant in her mourning, will mention great personalities met, many among them were those received at the ambassador’s residence in various countries.
Mondher Mami will particularly evoke how his father’s name, Martyr Dr Abderrahman was awarded to the Pneumo-Phtisiology hospital in Ariana.
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Emeritic Tunisians: a book in tribute to 40 large figures (volume 1)