Tunisian Church Procession Highlights Faith and Migration

Tunis, Tunisia – The annual procession of Our Lady of Trapani drew hundreds to Halq al-Wadi, where the statue of the Virgin Mary was celebrated by a diverse crowd, including Tunisians, Europeans, and sub-Saharan Africans. Originally introduced by Sicilian immigrants in the late 1800s, the procession once united various communities, but it was largely dormant until it resumed in 2017. The cultural significance of the event reflects La Goulette’s history as a melting pot, even after the exodus of Europeans post-independence. This year, many attendees were young Tunisian Muslims, illustrating the event’s evolving nature.