Oudna, another spectacularly well preserved Roman town, just south of Tunis: http://www.google.co.uk/searc h? q=oudhna+tunisia&tbm=isch&t bo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei= 227uUYHaBuOd7gbC8IDwBA &ved=0CDgQsAQ&biw=1024& bih=547 It says something for the wealth of Roman sites in Tunisia that Oudna is not listed as a Roman town on the Wikipedia ‘Tunisian Roman Towns’ page, despite its amphitheatre, capitol temples and underground rooms. Here we found that a coachload of young Tunisian students had got to the site before us. They were clearly in celebratory mood and were sitting in the partially restored amphitheatre playing drums, dancing and singing, young men and women partying together, some girls in the head scarves banned by the previous regime, clearly celebrating their change of regime. They invited us to dance and we joined in with enthusiasm, reasoning that no
better use could be found for an ancient Roman amphitheatre than to celebrate the toppling of a dictator. So why the sudden enthusiasm for Roman sites in Tunisia? I spoke to a Tunisian friend who lives in London and her concern seemed to be more that she felt traditional Muslim sites were under attack. There has always been a tension in Tunisia between the traditional Islamists and the modernising Francophiles and, in visiting the Roman sites during the revolution bank holiday, the Tunisian families were perhaps allying themselves with the latter. The very presence of women in pretty bright traditional scarves at Roman sites on a revolutionary bank holiday however shows that the Tunisians wear their religion lightly and can combine piety with enjoyment of Roman sites, especially when they are made available to them without charge! However, as ever economic factors must not be overlooked: perhaps more
Capitol at Oudna. importantly, the fact that the Roman sites and museums had been thrown open free to local residents must also play its part in attracting interest. After all, the 9 Dinar - £2 entry - change must be off-putting for many poorer families. When all’s said and done, what better use for a ruined ancient amphitheatre can there be than celebration of a successful revolution and the ousting of tired old dictator?
Tunisian students celebrating their Revolution Bank Holiday at Oudna.
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