Introduction of the Ecomuseum of Arid Regions of Medenine

Описание: Introduction of the Ecomuseum of Arid Regions of Medenine

Ecomuseum: an institution that studies, conserves, and promotes the way of life, know-how, natural and cultural heritage of a region. (Le petit Larousse).
Establishment of the Ecomuseum of Arid Regions
The establishment of the Ecomuseum of Arid Regions within the Arid Regions Institute of Medenine (IRA) is the culmination of a long research program that Dr. Kamel Laroussi (Anthropologist, IRA) initiated since 1993. This program was undertaken as part of his research on the issue of preserving and promoting patrimonial heritage in the Tunisian arid regions.
This program received direct funding from the Secretary of State for Scientific Research and Technology on two consecutive occasions during the period extending from 1997 to 2002.
The construction of the Ecomuseum of Arid Regions began in 1999 with the establishment of a traditional oil mill on a property allocated by the Arid Regions Institute in Medenine (IRA) for this project. The institute carried out this step by using its own human and financial resources.
The project implementation (including construction, furnishing, and museum piece acquisition) was made possible by the overseeing ministry, which facilitated the initial phase for the establishment of the Ecomuseum which commenced in 2002 by the allocation of an annual credit line.
Starting from 2003, the Ecomuseum of Arid Regions opened its doors to visitors from the Arid Regions Institute, as well as groups of students, while also expanding exhibition spaces in the following years.
Components of the Ecomuseum of Arid Regions
The Ecomuseum covers an approximate total area of 8000 m2, comprising four buildings spanning around 600 m2:
8 Exhibition halls on the ground floor: 400 m2.
Administration on the first floor: 90 m2.
Traditional oil mill : 35 m2.
Storage room : 75 m2.
The Ecomuseum also features an outdoor area of almost 7500 m2, showcasing a traditional agricultural garden known as "Sania" in Arabic with its traditional irrigation system, a traditional kitchen, and an architectural piece representing the facade of a Gasr from southeastern Tunisia, utilized as a ceremonial podium.
The eight exhibition halls presently contain approximately 2100 collection items, mostly acquired through purchases, donations from individuals or institutions, or found in on-field investigations.
In collaboration with the Institute's management, an outdoor pathway has been designed, featuring a separate entrance apart from the main Institute entrance, directly connecting the Ecomuseum to the main road. The IRA has also built a parking lot to accommodate vehicles and welcome tourists and visitors within the designated spaces of the Ecomuseum.
Mission of the Ecomuseum and its Objectives
The Ecomuseum of Arid Regions embodies the Arid Regions Institute's expansion into diverse research areas, extending beyond its original scientific scope. It was initially dedicated to specialized research in desert sciences, combating physical desertification, preserving natural and genetic resources, and studying agro-pastoral production systems. The institute now faces an additional facet of desertification that touches on collective memory, historical and cultural heritage, as well as traditional technical expertise in areas such as artisanship, agriculture and environmental preservation. In this context, it was crucial to pay particular attention to preserving, conserving, and promoting this cultural and patrimonial treasure, with the goal of integrating it into regional development projects.
The research problem addressed by researchers at the Ecomuseum (preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of arid regions) lies at the crossroads of all the specialties to which the Institute devotes its attention, insofar as the five laboratories come together around this subject. This makes the Ecomuseum a unit in line with the research laboratories in terms of interests, while remaining structurally independent of them. According to the classification of museums in Tunisia, the Ecomuseum falls under the category of institutional museums.


Objectives of the Ecomuseum:
Conservation of Natural, Historical and cultural patrimony encompassing both material and immaterial aspects.
Cataloging and Documenting natural sites, historical monuments, and the material and immaterial patrimonial cultural heritage of rural communities within the Tunisian arid regions.
Preservation of Traditional Knowledge related to agro-pastoral production, natural resource management, and artisanship within the arid regions.
Valorization of material and immaterial patrimony through integrating scientific research findings to improve cultural tourism circuits and economic development projects in the region.
Kamel Laroussi, Founder of the Ecomuseum of Arid Regions, 2023.