A CULTURAL FIREWORK: A TUNISIAN STUDENT ON NEW YEAR TRADITIONS IN HER HOMELAND

Our university brings together students fr om all corners of the world. Rua Yousfi, a second-year student at the Medical Institute, came to Russia from Tunisia, a North African country, to study dentistry. What makes her homeland unique, and why can the New Year be celebrated in different ways? Maria Khruleva spoke with her.

— How does Tunisia combine Arab and European features?
- Tunisian culture is rooted in Berber traditions and enriched by the influence of many civilizations. Our national flag is very similar to the Turkish one, and the French language is still widely used and mandatory to learn. Even in my family, we often speak a mix of Arabic and French.

Weddings in Tunisia are especially fascinating. They last exactly seven days. The bride and groom celebrate in bright traditional costumes, although some couples also choose more informal European-style outfits. I love the fact that we respect our roots while remaining open to new ideas.

— What would you recommend tourists visit in Tunisia?
- I once visited El Djem, a city near my hometown of Sousse, and I was deeply impressed by the ancient Roman amphitheater located there. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I would also recommend visiting olive groves to see how natural olives are grown.

I have been to the Sahara as well. Many locals travel there to experience the beauty of the African desert with their own eyes. I even rode a camel once—but I wouldn’t recommend it! It’s very high and quite scary.

— Do you celebrate the New Year in Tunisia?
- The concept of the New Year in Tunisia is a bit different from the global one. We celebrate both the calendar New Year on January 1 and the Islamic New Year, which is based on the Hijri calendar, starting from the Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina.

New Year is a family-oriented holiday. My sister loves decorating a Christmas tree, although we do not celebrate Christmas itself. For us, the tree is a secular cultural symbol that simply creates a festive mood. Of course, more conservative families prefer not to follow this tradition.

Like in many countries, we listen to the president’s address before the countdown. However, we make wishes in our own special way: we write them on small pieces of paper, place them inside sky lanterns, and release them into the night sky. It looks truly magical.

— Do you cook traditional food while living in Russia? What is essential for a Tunisian New Year’s table?
- Yes, I often cook nwasser, a spicy dish with chicken and chickpeas. Unfortunately, Tunisian harissa—a chili-based paste made from hot peppers and seeds—is not available in Russia, so the taste is never exactly the same. A Tunisian New Year’s table usually includes a wide variety of dishes: chicken, fish, salads, soups—there is always plenty of food.

- What colors do you associate with Tunisia and Russia?
- Tunisia is white and blue for me, like the sea and the city of Sidi Bou Said, wh ere all the buildings are painted in these colors. Russia, on the other hand, feels green in summer and gray during most of the year—except for winter. I saw real winter for the first time in my life here.

The article was published in the newspaper «The Voice of Mordovian University», No. 11, December 23, 2025.