Useful information

Like in the majority of the Arabian countries, Tunisian cuisine uses mainly beef, goat's meat, veal and fowl, and also bean, rice, vegetables and fruits in the various combinations. As Moslems do not eat pork, instead they eat a lot of fish (especially tuna, after the name of which the country is believed to be named) and seafood, egg dishes and dairy products (especially cheese). 

Soup with vegetables and veal "shorba", omelette looking like a pizza with meat, cheese and fried pepper - "tazhin", "ozhjey" - is the same but with spicy sausage, stewed veal with olives - "tazhin ez-Zitun", meat stewed with chilli, sweet pepper and coriander "genaoya", cold ragout "shakenuki" (or "shekshuka"), shish kebab of small slices of meat or chicken - "broshet", ram fried on the spit "mashvi", the meat baked in the tomato sauce "marka", fresh lamb in the pot, sweet pepper stuffed with meat "felfel makhchi", small smoked sausages "mergus", etc are very popular here. The thermal processing for meat dishes on the heated frying pan without oil is typical here as this adds special juiciness to the dish. 

Every possible spices, aromatic herbs and vegetable oils (often the olive) are widely used here. Nearly all dishes are accompanied with "kharissa" - spicy paste of red pepper and olive oil, seasoned with parsley, garlic or caraway seeds. People here eat a lot of bread - every table is served with the traditional "lavash" and long "long loaf" (like the "French roll"). Bread is taken with hands and is used as a spoon, or as an independent product. 

Traditions and behavior rules in the country

Unlike the other Muslim countries, in Tunis the norms of behavior for tourists are soft enough and the Islamic restrictions are not much strictly followed (however, in the internal areas the customs are more traditional). Alcoholic drinks are sold in the specialized shops.

The state religion is Islam. The majority of believers (95 % of the population) are Moslems-Sunnites, also Judaism and Christianity are popular here. Any demonstrations of the religious intolerance are pursued according to the law. 

Official holidays and days off

01 January  - New year. 

20 March - Independence Day. 

21 March - Day of youth. 

09 April - martyrs memory Day. 

01 May - Labour Day. 

25 July - Declaration of republic. 

03 August - Day off. 

13 August - Day of women. 

15 August - Day of troops withdrawal. 

07 November - Day of when the president Ben Ali came to office. 

Religious holidays of Ras Al Am (Ras Al Sana, Muslim New year), Mulid an-Nabi (Birthday of prophet Mohammed, June-July), Miaradj (Ascension Day), Ramadan, Id as-segir and Id al-Kebir the dates of which change according to the lunar calendar. Unlike all the other Muslim countries, the day off in Tunis is not Friday, but Sunday. On Saturdays the majority of official institutions have short working day.

Festivals and holidays

This small country has a great number of various festivals and celebrations. At the end of January in Tatavin the folklore "Festival of ksars" takes place. In Ariana the colourful Festival of Roses (May) occurs. In Tabarka in May the traditional Festival of spring is celebrated, in June-July - the International festival of jazz, and in the beginning of September - a chain of water holidays with the Festival of Corals and "Trident of the Neptune" among them. 

The same water enchanting spectacle "Trident of the Neptune" takes place in June-July in Bizerta, anticipating the International festival of Bizerta (July-August). The capital of this country in July-August holds the International festival of Carthago, and during the month Ramadan there is Festival of Medina. In Al-Khavir in May-June they enjoy the unique Falcon festival where the abilities and the constitution of the hunting birds the Tunisians feel special passion for are shown. In Meknassi they hold the Festival of thoroughbred Arabian horses (June-July). Hammamete in July houses the Festival Jasmin Hammamet or the International festival of culture of Hammamet. In July-August the Al Jam welcomes the International musical festival, Dougga invites for the International festival of the Dougga's classical drama, and Djerba invites for the Festival of Uliss (July). 

At the same time (July-August) in Sousse they hold the colourful International festival of Sousse or "Festival D '0ssu" where the groups performing national songs and dances of this region make shows, and in Sfax they have the Festival of plastic arts is held. In the autumn (November) there is four-day Festival of oases in Tozera with numerous competitions in traditional sports and camel fights. In Carthago the International film festival is taking place in October (odd years). In Duza the Sahara festival takes place for which the nomads and peasants from oases gather, and the south parts of the country organize in November numerous "Days of tourism of Sahara".

It is not recommended to look at the women in yashmak. It is not polite here to eat on feet or when moving, to look at the face of the chewing person or to drink water after the fat dish. During Ramadan Moslems do not eat and do not smoke during the period from sunrise till the sunset. Tourists are also recommended to avoid smoking, drinking and eating in the streets of cities. Being drunk in the street can cause detention and the decent penalty. At the hotels it is allowed to drink and smoke freely, but wine and beer cost here twice more expensive than in the city.