Amazingly however Tunisian poet Youssef Rzouga resists the temptation to write about all of this. His poetry is not places and events and there are no cliches of Africa or the Arab world. His voice is unique and independent and his style and subjects unexpected and confronting.
I first met Youssef in a pavement cafe in Avenue Bourguiba, the main promenade of dowtown Tunis. He was with friends, arab poets and writers. Me a photographer from Australia was immediately welcomed into a group been to exchange with another artist.
From the start what impresses you about Youssef is his tireless alertness and energy.
He sits upright in chair, bundle of books always in lap, eyes brimming with an eagerness to absorb everything.
