In Tunisia, youth unemployment rates in inland regions such as Sidi Bouzid and Kébili have approached 40%. In these territories, agricultural labor often remains the only option, offering neither stability nor long-term prospects. Within this suspended space, Loro non tornarono più a terra takes shape—a project inspired by the myth of the Seven Sleepers, widespread in both Christian and Islamic traditions. The legend tells of persecuted youths who seek refuge in a cave and awaken centuries later to a transformed world. Within the project, this “sleep” becomes a metaphor for a generation caught between immobility and a longing for the future. In the palm groves of Kébili and the countryside of Sidi Bouzid, time follows ancient rhythms. The daily gestures of young women working in greenhouses and weaving margoum carpets emerge as images of resistance and anticipation.

The project was carried out in October 2025 with the support of WeWorld staff and partners in Tunisia. WeWorld has been active in Tunisia since 2013 to support the most vulnerable groups in inland and underserved regions, such as Sidi Bouzid and Kébili, focusing primarily on local socioeconomic development, the empowerment of marginalized youth and women, vocational training, and the promotion of employment.