– It was originally an ancient festival celebrating the god of the sea, Neptune in Roman times, whose history goes back to the Phoenicians. This custom changed over time and became linked in modern times with a national anniversary: the proclamation of the Tunisian Republic on 25 July 1957.
AOUSSOU CARNIVAL · SOUSSE
The Aoussou Carnival
A heritage we share.
Sousse · Tunisia The Carnival
Image from the original postOUR HISTORY, OUR IDENTITY
About the Aoussou Parade Festival
– An annual festive and cultural event held in summer, on 24 July, in the city of Sousse, Tunisia.
– A parade of carnival floats that captivates the crowds: the “Aoussou” float carrying the “god of the sea”, recreating a historical legend, brass bands and dance troupes, as well as folk troupes and giant puppets from Tunisia and abroad, mainly near the beach, on Habib Bourguiba Avenue and the Boujaafar corniche.
– Aoussou is a term for the August heatwave in the Berber calendar.
– A carnival organised by the “Aoussou Festival Association”, whose first edition took place in 1958.
– It is usually accompanied by a fireworks display on the night of 25 July, Republic Day. This period sees a great deal of activity, with a wealth of shows and celebrations.
– The city of Sousse welcomes thousands of tourists who come from all over to spend their holidays and enjoy the fine weather and the beach.
– The “Aoussou Carnival” is regarded as the first carnival in Africa and the Arab world; several Arab and European countries take part, whether through troupes, artistic tableaux or visiting tourists.
CULTURE · TRANSMISSION · SHARING
The festival’s objectives
To help support and develop cultural tourism and youth tourism.
To help enliven, through the parade, the cultural life of the governorate, to preserve popular cultural heritage and to revive the customs and traditions rooted in that heritage.
To showcase the achievements made in the various fields of youth, culture and tourism at regional and national level.
To promote the Aoussou Parade in Tunisia and abroad.