Tunisians are selling merchandise from January’s revolution that ousted former President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali from power, after more than two decades atop the country’s political structure. While Tunisians are able to get such collectibles, including shirts, signs and banners, a number of savvy Tunisians have set up online in order to deliver goods worldwide.
“It is brilliant. We are selling shirts and banners all the time now online and to people in Europe, the United States and elsewhere,” said Ismail Ali, a 32-year-old unemployed web designer who has set up a blog to sell items being sold on the streets.
“I am making a decent amount of money, but the shipping costs are a lot, but it is for a good cause and I feel very proud that people care enough to buy some stuff.”
He said the majority of the international buyers are from France. Pictures are going the fastest.
“One of things people want to have is copies of photos from our revolution. This is the number one seller,” he added. Across the country, reports have been flowing in detailing the massive movement to pick up items from the revolution.
“It’s become a profitable business,” said shopping mall employee Safia in comments published by Magharebia.
“Manufacturers and craftsmen have come up with a beautiful idea. They have placed the photographs that were circulated around the world and were reported by news agencies in small, beautiful paintings and diaries. Such items are seeing unprecedented demand now.”
A number of images show the massive crowds outside the interior ministry on January 14. Most of the souvenirs being sold are red, the color of the revolution.
By Jonathan Terry
