The Tunisian village of Star Wars threatened by sand
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.
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.
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