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Three lives in one! Zouhair Ayadi (1906-1980) will travel deeply through the last century, immersed in his multiple passions. First of all, the radical actions within the then nascent Tunisian left, then the national movement. At the same time, dedicated to journalism. In this extension, agriculture did not hesitate to experiment with grafting and breeding new varieties of almonds and others. Little known to the new generations, he now benefits from a well-documented book written by the rigorous historian Kamel Hakim. Under the title Zouhair Ayadi, fighting memory in politics, journalism and sportspublished in Version leaderthe author relives a most exciting journey.
Zouhair Ayadi was born in Sfax in 1906, without a mother, calmed by the story of his grandfather Ali Ayadi’s service with the French army in the Crimean War (1853-1856), and then joined the city’s resistance against the French occupation. In July 1881, nourished by patriotism, he will throw himself into the fight against colonialism. At a very young age, he entered the Sadiki Academy in the early 1920s, immersed in the political excitement of the capital. This is how he joined the founders of the Communist Youth League in 1921, alongside Robert Louzon, Ahmed Ben Milaid and Jean-Paul Findoy, standing out with fiery speeches in support of the birth of the De Tourien Party and calling for a boycott of the planned visit of French President Alexandre Millerand, among other actions. Arrested, he was eventually released. But he was expelled from the Sadiki Academy and decided to enroll in the Tunisian Colonial Agricultural School in 1923, from which he graduated.
Zouhair Ayadi spent his years in Tunisia, and above all he was very active in political and social movements, among the great figures of the left and workers’ unionism and political leaders (Tahar Sfar, Chedly Khairallah, etc.), he published articles in different newspapers. The future of society Australia early morningbut also Tunisia by NightHe would write with a sharp pen, with flair and persuasion, and his command of the most subtle nuances of the French language and his structured arguments would make his texts accessible to a wide audience.
In Sfax, he would prepare for the visit of Mohammed Ali Hami on 14 November 1924, sign the statutes of the Sfax-Gafsa Company Union on 18 November 1924, and visit the port dock workers the next day.
CSS, Culture, and Political Action
Zuhair Ayadi will take over as editor-in-chief of the newspaper after settling in his hometown Press EchoThe first French-language regional newspaper, it was founded in 1922 by Ahmed Souissi (who sold it to Ahmed Hassine Mehiri in 1925). Mehiri founded his own paper in 1927. New Tunisiabut soon decided to withdraw and delegate the work to Ayadi. Each issue would become a new exercise in radical journalism, with information and analysis supporting the national movement and inspiring readers, but also engaging the settler media and refuting their arguments. His articles were lively and poignant and would go down in history until his last publication before his death in 1980.
Zouhair Ayadi does not limit himself to the media, which will become part of his DNA throughout his life, and he will mobilize to found the Tunisian Club (predecessor of the CSS) in 1928. He will be the first president of its steering committee. He will also work on the creation of different cultural, musical and theatrical associations. He supports the birth of Neo-Destour and in 1934, together with Hédi Chaker, Mohamed Charfi, Saïd Guirat and Abdallah Mellouli, founders of the first group in Sfax, they gather in the medina in Habib Meziou’s shop on rue de La Mecca.
Ayadi Almond
Reconnecting with the agriculture he had studied at Ecat, he dedicated himself to the development and cultivation of olive trees, then almond trees and other fruit trees. Subsequently, Zouhair Ayadi will demonstrate work and perseverance, as well as innovations in grafting. A variety of almond trees, more resistant to arid climates, will produce the almonds that bear his name. The day after independence, amid internal quarrels, allegations regarding the origin of his agricultural property, allegedly granted on favorable terms by the colonial authorities, cast suspicion on him. But he will eventually win the case, supported by evidence.
The meaning of life
A striking look, a fair complexion, sparkling eyes, a bright red tabou and a well-tailored suit of quality fabric! Everything about him is exquisite. Every morning, Zouhair Ayadi arrives from Jnen, a suburb of Sfax, and walks through the streets of the Medina, greeting some, talking to others, commenting on current events and reminiscing about the past. Then he goes to the European quarter, buys a newspaper and sits on the terrace of his regular spot, the Café de la Paix (formerly La Régence).
Irreducible activist, talented journalist and hardworking farmer will shape his character traits and smile. The author Kamel Hakim will conduct a careful practice with rich documents consulted by the National Archives and provided by his family. He holds a postgraduate doctorate from the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences (April 9, Tunisia), is a teacher and researcher in social and cultural history and the author of numerous publications.
In this work he will apply without complacency the rigorous methodology of a university researcher and the attention of a historian specialized in the Sfax region and its multiple components. His book introduces us to an exceptional character who encountered an important part of Tunisia’s contemporary history during an intense journey. Understanding Zouhair Ayadi’s drive means deciphering such a rich and dense experience. But also the meaning of life.
Zuhair Ayadi,
Battle Memories
In politics, news and sports
De Carmel Hakim
Version leaderJune 2024,
132 pages, 28 pages
In bookstores and elsewhere
www.leadersbooks.com.tn
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