In Tunisia, the site of Mos Espa, which was filmed part of the Star Wars saga, the birthplace of Anakin Skywalker, could be buried by the dunes.















To save the settings, movie fans and the Chamber of Tourism mobilize, and leverage financial support from users.

The scene is worship for lovers of Star Wars: young Anakin Skywalker, played by Jake Lloyd meets Obi-Wan Kenobi, who is looking to repair his ship. On the screen, the scene takes place in Mos Espa village of pirates on the planet Tatooine.

In reality, the shooting took place in NGOs Jmel near Nafta, west of Tunisia. A site now threatened by desert encroachment, and that an association is trying to save, with the support of Internet users.

A RACE AGAINST THE SAND
Mobile dune to the streets of the village and will totally bury the site before September, if nothing is done. "Since then, twenty years, this site is to thank you elements and vandalism," laments Raya Ben Guiza-Verniers, advisor to the "Mos Espa Save" operation, which brings together local hoteliers and geographer in desertification, Nabil Gasmi.

To preserve the scenery, left behind at the request of the Tunisian government, the developing chamber of the oasis and desert tourism (CDTOS), which launched the initiative, called on crowdfunding. The association hopes to raise 300 thousand dinars, or about € 140,000 to carry out all the work of dredging and develop the site. Customers can contribute until June 6, in exchange for an honorary title of Jedi.

A first phase of work began in late March, 160,000 dinars (€ 73,000) have already been allocated to the governorate of Tozeur (the nearest town) for dredging. In total, about 20 000 m3 of sand to be moved, which will put the site "out of danger for the next 8 to 10 years," according to officials of the initiative.

DEVELOPING LOCAL TOURISM
In addition to restoring sets and frames, the initiative also wants to perpetuate the site by installing host infrastructure (electrics, toilets, rubbish bins, information boards) for visitors, says Raya Ben Guiza-Verniers. Local tour guides must also be trained to discover the place.

"Before the revolution, more than a hundred people came to visit the site every day, explains the manager, but since then, because of the proximity to the border with Algeria and Libya, the region was classified in the red zone and tourism at half mast. "Three quarters of hostels in the region have closed since 2011, according to CDTOS.

The twenty houses with round roofs Mos Espa, built from scratch for the film, is a major tourist and economic importance to the region. "A pardon would create a social and cultural dynamics," says Raya Ben Guiza-Verniers. A nearby museum project should also educate visitors about the flora and fauna of the desert. City Space Pirates could well turn into a tourist haven.

NGOs Jmel - Fill hotels and tourist shops with the Jedi of Star Wars, this is the challenge of southern Tunisia, who hopes that the film locations of the saga will boost a sector in crisis.

Invaded by the sand there is still a month Mos Espa, the village of Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi become the legendary Darth Vader, slowly reborn since the bulldozers began to clear away the huts built in the late 1990s filming of episode 1, the fourth installment of the series.

The goal is to make this place surrounded by the dunes of the Sahara, 45 km from Tozeur, a star attraction as well as the camel rides and oases visits.

First hit in early May, a Tunisian and foreign fans of the Star Wars meeting was held there.

Dressed as "Stormtroopers", "Imperial Guards", "Jedi" and other "Sith" tens of Tunisians, Germans, Norwegians and Belgians gathered lightsabers in hand to watch the saga, lying on mats and cushions installed Mos Espa to center. And costume parade was held through Tozeur, under the eyes of the people happy.

PILGRIMAGE

"This site is a high place of pilgrimage for thousands of fans and also sustains the local economy, tourism and culture, hence the importance of this operation" sand ladders, falls Raya Ben Guiza, Campaigner associative "Mos Espa Save".



"The first phase was successfully completed, now the site of the spring sand and you can see the entire structure, so we go to the second, and most important: the restoration and development of the decorations," she adds.

Approximately $ 204,000 is needed to complete the mission, about half was put forward by the Ministry of Tourism and the rest must come primarily from sponsorship.

"It's a setting that attracts, you just restore it, keep it alive and preserve the dune," adds Jallouli Taieb, who oversees the restoration of the site, whose real name Ong Jmel means "neck of the camel" .

As for residents, this event is a breath of fresh air, tourism struggling as elsewhere in Tunisia, to the levels of before the revolution of January 2011.

Walid Souissi, a 29 year old engineer, "this event is new and quite different (...) that takes us out of the traditional image of camels or someone holding a Machmoum" these small bunches of jasmine characteristics of southern Tunisia.

Although the attendance of the first events is still small, welcoming, positive, reassuring authorities that rely much more meetings.

"This is the answer print and we intend to do better in future editions," says Zied Chargui representative of the Ministry of Tourism.

Especially as other scenes of the cult series were shot in Tunisia, where eight film sites in total are scattered across the desert. The city of Tataouine in the south inspired George Lucas's name on the planet Tatooine.

CAUTION

Among professionals, some remain cautious in anticipation of a Star Wars project that will be part of a strategy for development.



They note that Tunisia continues to live in the interim, with a fifth government in three years of political crisis and instability. This independent firm should lead the country towards elections in 2014 and finally allow the installation of permanent institutions.

"Elections are expected," said Mohamed Ali Laajmi, hotel owner Sarra Tozeur forced to close - like 18 others in his - for lack of tourists.

"We need radical solutions, more than temporary solutions. Now with those conditions, it can only remain closed. There is no solution, "he adds.

Others want to believe that the new Minister of Tourism, Amel Karboul, will give a boost. She is also eager to push for the development of Star Wars after the launch of associative initiative to save Mos Espa.

"The Minister of Tourism has made us advertise" Ong Jmel "and we feel that little by little is better (...) Before we were dead. Now I feel that the future of tourism is more favorable, "says Mounawar Taegue, 49, owner of a small shop in Tozeur.

Invaded by the sand there is still a month Mos Espa, the village of Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi become the legendary Darth Vader, slowly reborn since the bulldozers began to clear away the huts built in the late 1990s the set of "episode 1", the fourth installment of the series.

The goal is to make this place surrounded by the dunes of the Sahara, 45 km from Tozeur, a star attraction as well as the camel rides and oases visits.

First hit in early May, a Tunisian and foreign fans of the Star Wars meeting was held there.

click here
Dressed as "Stormtroopers", "Imperial Guards", "Jedi" and other "Sith" tens of Tunisians, Germans, Norwegians and Belgians gathered lightsaber in hand to watch the saga, lying on mats and cushions installed Mos Espa to center. And costume parade was held through Tozeur, under the eyes of the people happy.

pilgrimage

"This site is a high place of pilgrimage for thousands of fans and also sustains the local economy, tourism and culture, hence the importance of this operation" sand ladders, falls Raya Ben Guiza, Campaigner associative "Mos Espa Save".

"The first phase was successfully completed, now the site of the spring sand and you can see the entire structure, so we go to the second, and most important: the restoration and development of the decorations," she adds.

Some 137,000 euros are needed to accomplish the mission, about half was put forward by the Ministry of Tourism and the rest must come primarily from sponsorship.

"It's a setting that attracts, you just restore it, keep it alive and preserve the dune," adds Jallouli Taieb, who oversees the restoration of the site, whose real name Ong Jmel means "neck of the camel" .

As for residents, this event is a breath of fresh air, tourism struggling as elsewhere in Tunisia, to the levels of before the revolution of January 2011.

Walid Souissi, a 29 year old engineer, "this event is new and quite different (...), it takes us out of the traditional image of camels or someone holding a Machmoum" these little bouquets jasmine characteristics of southern Tunisia.

Although the attendance of the first events is still small, welcoming, positive, reassuring authorities that rely much more meetings.

"This is the answer print and we intend to do better in future editions," says Zied Chargui, representative of the Ministry of Tourism.

Especially as other scenes of the cult series were shot in Tunisia, where eight film sites in total are scattered across the desert. The city of Tataouine in the south inspired George Lucas's name on the planet Tatooine.

caution

Among professionals, some remain cautious in anticipation of a proposed "Star Wars" that will be part of a strategy for development.

They note that Tunisia continues to live in the interim, with a fifth government in three years of political crisis and instability. This independent firm should lead the country towards elections in 2014 and finally allow the installation of permanent institutions.

"Elections are expected," said Mohamed Ali Laajmi, hotel owner Sarra Tozeur forced to close 18 other --as according it-- lack of tourists.

"We need radical solutions, more than temporary solutions. Now with those conditions, it can only remain closed. There is no solution, "he adds.

Others want to believe that the new Minister of Tourism, Amel Karboul, will give a boost to the sector. She is also eager to push for the development of a product "Star Wars" after the launch of associative initiative to save Mos Espa.

"The Minister of Tourism has made us advertise 'Ong Jmel' and we feel that little by little is better (...). Before it was like death. Now I feel that the future of tourism is more favorable, "says Mounawar Taegue, 49, owner of a shop in Tozeur.

The old building Ifremer plumb the Mediterranean, with clean geometric lines very 50, adjacent to the famous marine cemetery where Paul Valery and Jean Vilar rest. Completely redesigned by design architecture, the Museum of the Sea of ​​Sète is composed of large rooms with long, narrow bays open on the Mediterranean.
The course begins with a comprehensive evocation of the port of Sète with plans, models, video, old sepia images and number of documents. We learn that already in the eighteenth century, fought against the silting Sétois using an arsenal of Jules Verne. Then comes the interesting part, the room Aversa name of a dynasty of Carpenters originally a shipyard established here in 1902 The heir to the name-a passionately embarked on the model with the idea to rebuild in the same models and the whole fleet of fishing ports coming out of the family arsenal. Some of them have been protected in 2010 as a historic monument. It finds the manufacture of a Catalan boat with two bilge keels, allowing the fire on the beach. The boat was used for fishing for blue fish (sardines, anchovies, mackerel ...) and Sete had in the beginning of the last century more than 90 lined up along the pier St. Louis.


The boat-beef

Marseille still tray otherwise known as "sharp" introduced in the nineteenth century by Italian carpenters and boat-especially beef is discovered. This big boat weighted down by fifteen tons of gravel was used in couples who pulled a net as the ox pulls the plow. The sharp was used until the 50s.
Another room is devoted entirely to the boat school Governor General Lépine and his incredible destiny. He was the liaison between Marseille and Algiers when his captain disobeys orders Vichy warning him to return to Marseille. He was one of the few ships to fly the flag for the Cross of Loraine and received February 21, 1948 the Croix de Guerre!
Finally, the last rooms take visitors in jousting that punctuate the life of the port since the sixteenth century and are every year around St. Louis (late August) a major point of local life with tens of thousands giving visitors a living at this charming museum extension.

This year's theme for the International Kite Festival (from September 6 to 14) in Dieppe is "Luminescence". It already looks real and spectacular flying works whose daring figures compete to win the top prize. All around, each specialty. The stunt kites, sport, those dedicated to fighting the historical cultivating traditional materials and figures, those that focus on design and artistic flights, huge, miniatures ... He does not miss.
Three delegations will be honored. India and Indonesia, two countries that have invented these strange flying machines (there for the first 1500 years, 3000 years for the latter) and are now growing their knowledge in the manner of an art. Approval or combat sport (a system of strings sharp overcomes opponents), decorative object or ceremony, the kite, there, its heroes and champions. Some will be at Dieppe.


Worthy of modern paintings
Germany will also be on the front of the stage, but to present the modern versions of these funny paintings lighter than the wind. We will not count the looks lost in the sky to contemplate these worthy figures of modern paintings or cartoon characters.
Finally, many events will enrich the event. A day for children (Wednesday 10), creating gardens wind, photo exhibits and aerial videos, night flights, parades, concerts ...
Nearly 750,000 visitors are expected. They will commune around the slogan of international kite flyers: "A sky, a world."

Busy morning lethargic afternoon, turbulent night in Christian churches, gardens in Arabic, gypsy in some neighborhoods by tourist will ... Seville, the hours, turning a place to shadow of a minaret, changes according to the light that he carries. The Sevilla seem never to return to the beauty of their city, which is understandable. They say "quien no ha visto Sevilla no ha visto maravilla" and we believe them. And it is with curiosity and excitement that starts, the streets of the beautiful Andalusian, looking splendid Muslim past. We do not see it right away, even if there are many traces, but one is immediately immersed in an atmosphere, settings, pace of life to many centuries of domination and Muslim presence.
At daybreak, for example, when Seville out of his sleep, snorts and discards the last chills of the night, you can see the beautiful mess of flat roofs, huddled against each other, neighborhood Santa- Cruz. Here and there we see a Sevillian hanging clothes on a line, another watering cacti, or gathered around a breakfast family. These little morning ritual takes place with the backdrop of the Moorish battlements of the Alcazar, the tower-minaret of the Cathedral, one or two palms and harmony that binds the faded ocher glazed tiles with white lime. You might think in an Arab town and it is expected that the air is split by the sound of a muezzin.
Detail on the entrance to the Giralda, the icon of Seville.
This oriental heritage, long overshadowed yet founder of Andalusian culture, dating back to the arrival in 711, near Tarifa, various Muslim ethnic groups (Arabs, Berbers, etc.), who created Al-Andalus. This expression denoting the part of the Peninsula under Islamic rule, will create the word Andalusia. In the wake of Cordova, then radiant capital of the Umayyads, the city experienced a major economic and cultural boom. It built the first mosque and the Alcazar, place of residence of the governors of Cordoba. The fall of the Caliphate of Córdoba (1031) propelled the capital of the most powerful Taifa (small kingdoms), where the poet King Al-Mutamid maintained a literate and refined court. Then there are the Almoravids who seized Seville, before being driven out by the Almohad Seville in 1147 then enters its golden age.
Built in proud capital of the Almohad empire, she cultivates the intellectual and artistic life while fascinating medieval Europe still unpolished. At night, the streets of Seville are informed and safe while those of Paris are just muddy cutthroats. The city is embarking on many embellishments, including the construction of the Great Mosque (replaced by the Cathedral after the Reconquista). The Alcazar palace was expanded, docks are built over the Guadalquivir and enjoys strong walls is introduced. This fortified, leaving only the Torre del Oro and portions of walls of adobe. In 1248, the entrance to the city of King Ferdinand III of Castile put an end to Muslim rule in Seville.
Any duality of Andalusian memory is included in this architectural collision

Thus informed, we can sink us into the rhythm of the city; wander through the labyrinthine layout (typical medina) alleyways of the Jewish Quarter; admire moving flowered balconies; lead to the irresistible plot Doña Elvira buried under jasmine, bougainvillea and orange; take a quick furtive look at the enchanting patios covered with tiles (other Arab heritage) the Callejon del Agua. Still on foot, because taking the car to discover Seville hold of madness. So get lost, then dive to the ship extravagant stone cathedral. Essential jewel magnetizing the entire city, it summarizes all the pomp. Where to start? It seems appropriate to consider first of all visit the Giralda. Not only because its facade, composed of interlacing and rafters, displays a rare elegance, but also because, with its 97 meters, it was long the tallest tower in the world. Its silhouette is both powerful and slender is known all over the planet. It's sort of the Sevillian Eiffel Tower. Therefore difficult to avoid the cohorts of tourists poured through conditioned pullmans.
But it is interesting to know is that its architect Ibn Baso wanted her as resembling a twin sister minarets Rabat (Hassan Tower) and Marrakech (Kutubiyya), other jewels of Almohad architecture. With the court of ablutions (or Patio de los Naranjos), this is what remains of the old mosque built in 1172 by Caliph Yacoub Yusuf. A true wonder to say Muslim travelers of the time, supplanted in the fifteenth century by the dizzying Gothic cathedral. The five naves, the row of pillars carved, carved furniture, gold and silver debauchery chapels border on provocation. But the whole duality of Andalusian memory is included in this architectural collision and this improbable fusion of the cross and the crescent. We will not leave the premises without appreciating the tomb of Christopher Columbus and the beautiful stained glass windows of the sixteenth century depicting scenes from the Old Testament.
For those who want to dream in the middle of the good life that emanates from Muslim architecture, the palace of the Alcazar is the solution of choice. A series of rectangular courtyards traversed by canals and fountains, as well as sumptuous rooms await you. These domes carved wood, these remarkable tiles lined walls, the ornate coffered ceilings, these finely crafted columns were built more than a century after the meeting of Andalusia in Spain. For despite the Reconquista, Islamic art, prized by Christian rulers, has continued under the name of Mudejar art. A term meaning "subject" and that applies to Muslims allowed to remain in the territory. The Mudejar synthesis of Muslim and Christian art taste, unique to Spain, decorated with arabesques, its lobed arches, its stone temple embroidery of a voluptuous lifestyle.
The walls of the Alcazar Gardens.
But do not miss the only remaining room of the Almohad palace patio del Yeso. Chiseled archway, partly perforated and covered with stucco, are all reminders of the sophistication of this dynasty. Along the palace succeed stunning beauty gardens, arbours and secret paths, planted palms, magnolias and flower beds, refreshed water jets, murmuring fountains and underground pools. In the morning, the heavy air corona is a miraculous purity.
Another clear of Mudejar art, Casa de Pilatos, an aristocratic mansion became the symbol of the Renaissance in Seville, and also one of its most beautiful palaces. Arches are home to a stunning Roman and Greek statuary, including a sculpture of Athena from the fifth century BC After borrowing the gray marble staircase decorated with beautiful tiles, it opens into a room decorated with frescoes representing Renaissance poets and emperors of antiquity. The ceilings and the coffee table Smokers, not far, reaching the peak of the Mudejar marquetry. Marvel at The Death of the bull in the arena, Goya (lounge del Torreon), then stroll through the peaceful gardens with an Italian flair.
But the ideas of luxury and idleness that suggest places as poétiquesne not forget the other side of Al-Andalus. The cities perched-like military bastions, agricultural villages coiled in the valleys and villages that dot the white peaks of the Sierra de Cadiz and Ronda highlands. Narrow streets, small houses carefully whitewashed cube, black grilles, bright red geraniums glances give them the look of Medina. Encamped at the entrance to the route of the white villages (pueblos blancos), a network of city-fortresses developed by Muslims, Arcos de la Frontera seems suspended in space.
Erected on top of a cliff with its impressive castle built by the dynasty of Ben Jazrum, it overlooks one of the loops of the Rio Guadalete. Beyond Arcos de la Frontera, the land takes places the color of African laterites and of these copper valleys where olive advancing like an army in battle, beauty is everywhere. Bunches of palm trees and cactus arise at any moment. The villages are losing their tiles in favor of terraces, limestone walls is brighter, the spiers of the minarets have slimness they once were.
Encamped at the entrance to the route of the white villages, Arcos de la Frontera seems suspended in space ...
As as you approach the ocean, Europe éloigne.Le Morocco is not far ... At the end of the peninsula, from Algeciras or Tarifa, weather clearly, as can be seen from a balcony of the magic Ifriqiya. Africa, the cradle of Arab scholars courses Cordoba, Seville and Granada, translators of the legacy of Aristotle and other thinkers. Daily ferry connects the two separated by only 14 kilometers continents and view the wide, Tanger White "seems almost cheerful (...), with its walls of a snowy whiteness, high crenellated casbah and plated minarets old tiles, "as Pierre Loti observed during a diplomatic mission.
Moulay Hafid palace (now the Palace of Italian Institutions) in Tangier.
No sooner do we landed, the wind blowing through the unexpected that city. You lose the sense of the day, the year, the time in which we live. The main road from the port quickly made way for streets, alleys and streets, when they become too narrow for the taxi can pass, we continue to walk in the middle of a lively crowd. Accompanied by Rachid Tafersiti, writer, connoisseur of the backyards of the old palace and maze of the medina. Concentrates on the details of a network of sculpted plaster, door to richly painted doors, a patio paved with tiles, we have more than once lost mark. Our mental map of the city has become blurred, faded and we did not know which side were the ocean, Little Grand Socco (Souk in Spanish) that we had crossed. "One of our finest examples of Moorish architecture after the great mosque (time converted into a cathedral!) And delicate floral cartridges, is the palace of the Kasbah" is he exclaims.
Its various rooms are richly decorated with real gems sheltering alcoves domes dotted with stars polygonal horseshoe arches supported by columns and half columns, friezes carved wooden stalactites. They currently host the showcases of regional ethnographic museum and archaeological.
Other Artistic survival mixing Muslim and Christian art art, the palace of Italian Institutions (Moulay Hafid former palace) deploys large ceremonial and beautiful Andalusian garden rooms. But St. Andrew's church, whose bell tower with a square base stands as a minaret, remains the most singular example. Inside the arc finely executed on the opening chorus is set with a short strip where the Lord's Prayer in Arabic! Amazingly symbiosis reflects the ceaseless movement of men left Islamize Spain and fleeing, seven centuries later, the Reconquista. An era where thought and artistic creation have had some great times ...
TRAVEL BOOK

Site of the tourist office of Andalusia (www.andalucia.org).
Vueling (www.vueling.com) offers flights Paris-Seville from 49 € Tangier and Paris from 89 €.
Surrounded by walls Almohad, the gardens of the Alcázar are an oasis in the heart of Seville.
Land rental (01.55.42.74.10; www.terresdecharme.com) is one of the first operators to offer a combined discovery of Seville and Tangier. Route 8 days / 7 nights in a double room with breakfast from € 1,640 per person from Paris. This price includes transfers, 4 days car rental from Seville to Algeciras and the ferry Tarifa-Tangier (free shuttle service between Algeciras and Tarifa). The travel specialist bespoke option suggests a range of excursions and guided tours, as this "cultural discovery" of Tangier in the company of a writer passionate about his hometown, where he knows all the secrets. Other themes in Seville: Andalusia in the kitchen, flamenco lessons, wine tasting, bird discovery in Doñana, etc.
In Seville, the Corral del Rey (00.34.954.227.116; www.corraldelrey.com). In the former residence of the seventeenth, a boutique hotel in a great location, just minutes walk from the cathedral through the serpentine streets of the Santa Cruz district. Works of art, antique furniture, antiques are up a chic and charming atmosphere. From € 308 per night in double room with breakfast.
The Hacienda de San Rafael.
Jeres between Seville and the Corral del Rey's "property was" in an old olive grove: Hacienda de San Rafael (www.haciendadesanrafael.com). A beautiful farmhouse decorated in rustic chic style, 14 rooms and suites, swimming pool. From 275 €.
In the maze of narrow streets with whitewashed walls of the most famous pueblos blancos, the welcoming Casa Grande (00.34.956.703.930; www.lacasagrande.net). At the top of the cliff, this small hotel with 7 bedrooms enjoys an eagle on the Rio Guadalete view. From 79 € (or 99 € for a double room with private terrace).
In Tangier, heart for the Nord-Pinus (04.90.93.44.44; www.nord-pinus-tanger.com). A double room, 4 suites and home of Jean-Luc welcome guests at this luxury riad guest nicely perched on the Portuguese ramparts of the Kasbah. Breathtaking views of Tarifa, the Spanish coast and the deep blue sea. From 210 €.
The tapas bar in Seville Las Teresas.
In Seville. Las Teresas (00.34. 954.21.30.69), 2 Calle Santa Teresa. An authentic tapas bar (3 €) with walls covered in old posters, tiles, hanging hams. El Rinconcillo (00.34.954.22.31.83), 40 calle Gerona. Venerable institution quaint Seville (1670) in which to enjoy mouthwatering tapas (€ 2).
Monastero de la Cartuja, Centro Andaluz de Arte contemporáneo (00.34.955.03.70.70; www.caac.es). Christopher Columbus lived and prepared his second expedition. Hosts exhibitions of Spanish and foreign artists in a beautiful setting. Museo del Baile Flamenco (00.34.954.34.03.11). Unravel the mystery of the soul Andalusian entering the world of flamenco. Dance workshops and performances as renewed each night.
In Seville, for Abades Triana (00.34.954.28.64.59), 69 calle Betis. World food (allow € 35) served in a cube suspended over the Guadalquivir glass, overlooking the Torre del Oro, magical night!
The restaurant Abades Triana and sumptuous views over the Guadalquivir and the Torre del Oro.
Tangier. Realities of a myth, Rachid Tafersiti, Zarouila Editions. The Andalusian Morocco. Discovering a way of life, Editions Eddif Edisud.
The free shuttle Algeciras and Tarifa (to take over the port of Algeciras near the ferry ticket) is not signposted.