An international conference on "mosaic, local specificity of the city of El Jem" was held on Saturday at El Jem, in the governorate of El Mahdia. Formerly Thysdrus, El Jem is home to the world's second largest Coliseum after Rome; it also boast an impressive mosaics museum and is currently a vibrant mosaic making and restoration center
This conference is part of the Fourth International Mosaic Festival of El Jem which was held from May 14 to 16.
Announcing the launch of the conference, Mr. Ridha Ben Mosbah, Minister of Trade and handicrafts focused on the civilizational and archaeological heritage of which the region abounds.
He stressed the importance of the mosaic sector in the region a sector which employs around 600 craftsmen and more than 30 micro-enterprises, generating annual revenues estimated at 2.8 million dinars.
The Minister referred to the positive results achieved in this sector in terms of training, investment, employment, exports and tourism.
Ben Mosbah also visited the various booths at the mosaic exhibition, held at the Roman Amphitheatre of El Jem, including the workshop production of the giant mural, involving a number of young mosaics artists as part of Tunisia's celebration of 2010 International Youth Year.
© Tunisia Online News 2010
