Maarif International Schools, in collaboration with the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) and the Tunisian Association for Traditional Games and Sports, hosted a special event highlighting traditional Turkish archery.
The event, held at the high school campus in Tunis, was attended by Turkish Ambassador Ahmet Misbah Demircan, representatives of Turkish institutions, students, and teachers.
Ibrahim Furkan Özdemir, Coordinator of the Yunus Emre Institute in Tunisia, opened the program with a presentation on the history and cultural significance of Turkish archery, noting that it was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2019. The aim, he said, is to introduce this heritage throughout Tunisia.
Azeddine Bouzid, President of the Tunisian Association for Traditional Games and Sports, emphasized that the initiative strengthens cultural and sporting ties between Tunisia and Turkey. He announced the launch of the country’s first Traditional Turkish Archery Club, describing it as a symbol of intergenerational cultural connection.
Bouzid highlighted that heritage sports promote balance, discipline, and identity awareness, while Turkish archery combines athleticism with deep cultural meaning. He also revealed plans to expand the sport into schools, cultural centers, and youth clubs across Tunisia, as part of a broader effort to preserve and digitally document the nation’s traditional sports.
“This is not just a sporting event,” Bouzid concluded. “It is a civilizational endeavor that revives the shared cultural spirit between Tunisia and Turkey and bridges generations.”
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Essafi)
