Contemporary Tunisian Musical Discourse and the Attraction between Universalism and Localism

Abstract

Abstract

This article deals with the most important elements of the contemporary Tunisian musical discourse and the problems related to the identity problematic. The Tunisian musical discourse has witnessed in our time many changes as a result of the appearance of many cultural currents on the Tunisian artistic scene and their attempt to win over the audience, which generated divisions and divergences in viewpoints between supporters of universalism, who call for the integration of the Tunisian musical discourse in globalization and global strategies, and others who call for clinging to localism, given that the Tunisian musical discourse derives its tonal and rhythmic peculiarities from its rich heritage stock, and its permanence is linked to the artistic and aesthetic choices inherent in it in order to preserve its identity and protect it from disappearance and fading as a result of the changes imposed by the historical and political contexts that Tunisia has witnessed throughout history, in addition to the rapidity of global technological development.