A Tunisian cultural leader’s journey through Culture Connects and beyond
By Safa Mesrati -Head of Arts British Council Tunisia
It started with one ambition — quiet but powerful.
Mohamed reached out to us through a spontaneous application to the Dougga International Festival. At first, it was just a line in an email. But behind that message was a passionate artistic director, coach, and mentor, determined to build something lasting for the young people of Teboursouk, a town nestled in the northwest of Tunisia.
He spoke of connection. Of wanting to open new doors, build bridges with UK partners, and offer young talents a glimpse of the world beyond.
We saw that spark. And we knew we had to stand beside it.
Together, we supported his vision — helping bring UK artists and workshop leaders to Tunisia. The festival bloomed with energy, creativity, and hope. And something shifted. What started as a local collaboration soon caught international attention.
We nominated Mohamed to join the IN BETWEEN x MOMENTUM exchange programme in Edinburgh — a gathering of festival leaders from the UK and the MENA region. It was more than a professional milestone. It was a moment of truth.
I remember him turning to me during our travels and saying,
"No matter what’s happening in the world... we’ll keep crossing borders, we’ll keep building."
And he meant every word.
In Edinburgh, Mohamed was fully present — listening deeply, sharing boldly, and bridging perspectives. He brought Tunisia into every room, every conversation. He compared ideas, questioned norms, and connected hearts. His voice mattered. And people listened.
Then, as if the universe was listening too — a new door opened.
He became the only delegate from the MENA region to be accepted into the prestigious Global Music Leaders Programme. Last October, he attended WOMEX 2024, one of the biggest music expos in the world . There, he met industry professionals, showcase Tunisian talent, and wrote the next chapter of his journey.
And he’s already making waves — last March he introduced a Tunisian band to perform at the English Folk Expo, where they became the highlight of the week. He sent me every photo which myself, I shared with our team — all of us proud, emotional, inspired.
Because this is what Culture Connects is all about.
It’s about more than events or delegations. It’s about people. It’s about seeing a spark, nurturing it, and watching it light up the world.
The best part? This is just the beginning.
And we can’t wait to share what comes next.