The determined Greeks of Tunisia

"Every few years we go back to Australia for holidays and the kids love it. They have now become accustomed to switching back and forth in four languages," exclaimed Cristina. Wherever I travelled throughout the country I was keen to find out how Tunisia was fairing since the uprising but also with the recent election victory of the Islamists. In my discussions with people from all walks of life, many agreed that Tunisia was now a much more open society but change was slow and efforts to bring the perpetrators of abuse from the previous regime to justice were moving at snail pace. Unfortunately the economy had nose-dived as tourists avoided the country due to security concerns.

A climate of uneasiness and uncertainty still prevailed in society but there was hope for a brighter future once things had settled. When I asked someone to explain the electoral success of the Islamists he replied: "The Revolution was about freedom and jobs, but what many didn't realise was that to many this also meant the freedom to pursue one's identity". Since independence Tunisian governments have strongly pursued a 'secularism from above' approach, the desire for people wanting to express or pursue their Islamic identity can be considered a restoration of societal equilibrium.

The aspirations of Tunisia's Greek community are no different to the rest of the Tunisian society, everyone is hopeful of the potential for positive change that the Revolution has ushered in. The community today numbers less than 100 individuals, a far cry from the late 19th century where it peaked at around 8000, with many being sponge divers from the Dodecanese Islands. Today this small community may be battling to preserve its identity but it also has a larger and more significant battle, one where it is aligned with the Tunisian people, the quest to ensure that the Revolution isn't derailed and that the street vendor's act of martyrdom wasn't in vain.