IBLA - Institut des Belles Lettres Arabes
12 bis rue Jamâa el Haoua
1008 Tunis
Tunisia
- Heritage
- International/Cultural relations
- Religion
- Research
- Youth and education
MISSION STATEMENT
The aim of IBLA shall be to encourage intellectual openness in Tunisia and to develop dialogue between cultures and religions in order to achieve mutual understanding and peace.
OBJECTIVES
IBLA shall have the following objectives:
1. To promote respect and esteem for the cultures of others;
2. To create opportunities for inter-cultural and inter-religious encounters and dialogue;
3. To promote, conserve and protect the Tunisian cultural heritage and in a general way the Arab world cultural heritage;
4. To encourage and promote scientific research on humanities and social sciences in the Arab World;
5. To provide high-quality services;
6. To provide educational support and to encourage the continuation of studies;
7. To enhance relations with Tunisian society and its institutions;
8. To do all that is ancillary, incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives.
1.The Research Library
IBLA runs a Research Library specialized in humanities and social sciences in the Arab world. Its collection, mainly in Arabic and French, constitutes a unique contribution to the Tunisian cultural and academic scene. In January 2010, a dramatic fire deeply affected the Library as half of the collection was destroyed (At least 15,000 books) or damaged (at least 5,000 books), whereas the building and the furniture have also been severely damaged.
The enormous support received from both individuals and institutions such as the Ministry of Culture have enabled our team to restart partially IBLA’s activities. After several years of great efforts, the Research Library officially reopened in October 2014.
Now, the objective of our Research Library’s project is to recover and develop the Library’s collection and material in order to offer a quality place of study.
It contains three axes:
- Preservation of IBLA’s collection: repairing, scanning, conservation…
- Development of IBLA’s collection: purchase of books and periodicals
- Modernization of the IT system: Database development, renewal of the computers
2. IBLA Revue
IBLA Scientific journal to date has published 114 issues over 78 years. Its issues, containing over a thousand articles and hundreds of book reviews and survey, provide a wealth of information and commentary on the evolution of Modern Tunisia. Blending Orientalism and the social sciences, the review specialized from its inception in the study of Tunisia’s past and present, particularly its Arab and Islamic dimensions. In 2014, IBLA revue published the book “Tunisian Arabic Course, Level 1” and aims now to publish the Level 2.
3. The Junior Library
Opened for the youth of the disadvantaged neighbourhood (Bab Mnara, Melassine…) for over 50 years, the Junior library provides middle- and secondary-school children a place to study and to read in a calm and serious environment, as well as offering advice and help with their studies. After the fire of 2010, it was closed for few years. We are now preparing a participatory project to develop educational and cultural activities with a group of youth. We will provide these activities for the youth of the neighbourhood from next spring, with the reopening of the Junior Library. The objective of the project is to develop interest in studies, civil participation and intellectual openness among young people from disadvantaged neighbourhood.
Serving the intercultural and interreligious dialogue since the 1930s, IBLA has a great experience in improving mutual respect and understanding in Tunisia. This experience can benefit to the network.
Besides, IBLA is composed of an intercultural and interreligious team with Christian White Fathers coming from different countries and Muslim Tunisians. This is rare in Tunisia. Thus, IBLA’s team can provide a new perspective to the debates and exchanges of the network.
Finally, as the ALF is invited to associate partners various areas of the civil society, we have special connections with universities and cultural institutions, academics, youth… Our network can benefit the ALF.
We want to join the ALF Network because we share its values and mission. After the fire that affected IBLA in January 2010, we are now looking to the future and we would like to enhance our relations with the rich Tunisian civil society, expand our local and international networks and develop our activities. The ALF network can help us achieve these objectives.
We are also very interested in participating to national and regional activities. It can broaden our horizons, nourish our educational and cultural activities and give us opportunities to meet with future collaborators.
Regarding the current context, we think that networking and joining forces are particularly important to weaken obscurantism and build a common future.
