Freedom on Pause: Tunisia’s Democratic Unravelling
Hello! My name is Bilel SOYAH, a graphic design student from Tunisia, currently studying at HBKsaar for the summer semester. Here, I feel free to express myself without judgment, especially on political and social topics through my creative work.
I discovered the meaning of freedom during the 2011 Tunisian Revolution. I was part of this historical movement where Tunisians demanded liberty, dignity, and reform. Post-revolution, Tunisia emerged as the most democratic country in North Africa—surpassing neighbors like Libya, Algeria, and Morocco.
Independent media thrived. Freedom of speech blossomed. The cultural scene exploded, with new voices rising—especially in music and art. In 2014, Béji Caïd Essebsi became Tunisia’s first president elected by universal suffrage.
In 2019, Kais Saied came to power claiming to fight corruption and be independent. But after mismanaging the COVID-19 crisis, he seized the moment to dissolve parliament and consolidate power. He wrote a new constitution alone and passed it via a referendum. I voted “No.”
Since then, political tension has grown. Opponents are jailed. Critics silenced. Ten years after the revolution, Tunisia is dangerously close to a new dictatorship, echoing the Ben Ali era.
With this project, I aim to show how freedom of speech is in danger. Without it, Tunisia cannot grow—neither politically nor economically.
Many still blindly trust Kais Saied, while the European Union avoids criticizing him—relying on his regime to manage migration. I’m not asking for interference, but we must ask: is it right to cooperate with a leader who silences his people?
As designers, we must make the invisible visible. Our creativity is our voice—and I’m using mine to speak up.
Progession of my works
Behind the Process
To create the section about President Kais Saied, I started by gathering reports, articles, and timelines from both international and local sources. I carefully studied his speeches, decisions, and how laws evolved between 2021 and 2025. I wanted to understand not just the facts, but also the patterns and psychology behind this political shift.
I wrote the text by connecting these elements with my personal observations and concerns as a Tunisian citizen. I aimed to show how the slow erosion of democratic rights happens subtly—through legal changes, state propaganda, and public fear. It was important for me to express this not just in words, but visually too.
That’s why I created a series of croquis to support the exhibition. These sketches reflect emotions like censorship, isolation, and control. Some are symbolic; others are direct and confrontational. All of them are part of the visual storytelling of this project. They serve as a contrast to the cold, bureaucratic language used by the regime. Through art, I try to bring human depth back into the conversation.
This chapter is more than a critique—it's a warning. It reflects my belief that artists and designers have a responsibility to respond to injustice, using our tools to make complex realities visible. Freedom may be fading, but I believe that design can still shine a light in dark times.
