When the Tunisian Revolution began, the Temimi Foundation found itself in a new position of cultural responsibility, and this compelled us to invite the main part of the national leadership, the youth of the revolution, as well as leading figures from the diverse currents of Tunisia’s political and civil society to a series of seminars to explore their views, analyses, and insights about the revolution. As a historian, I was very much aware of the tremendous responsibility entrusted to the Temimi Foundation in deciding to document the revolution in this way. The twenty-two seminars were well attended by professors and businessmen, lawyers and doctors, politicians and activists, leading economists and journalists, and many others, including judges and religious figures. All of the participants engaged in open dialogue, responding to what were at times direct challenges with full goodwill and generosity of mind. They spoke to one another a little about the past, but much more about the present, pondering the necessary factors for securing and protecting the agenda of the revolution, and of a new Tunisia, predicated on defending the rights of all its citizens. The importance of this documentation is as a reflection of committed undertaking; it is a message addressed to the various leaders and institutions of civil society in this generation, but especially to those of future generations. Its readers will discern aspects of the new picture being drawn by the Tunisian Revolution of Dignity and Democracy and its place in today’s world and the course of history.
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