« Islands and islets have an ancient history and a unique natural wealth that islanders continue to preserve by, among other things, practicing fishing techniques that remain in harmony with their environment. »
La Presse – Islands have always held something magical. Flecks of land scattered across the sea, they seem ever ready to cast off into the unknown. Suspended between land and water, these territories are places of infinite possibility: entry points for invaders, but also cradles of civilizations.
They have served as sanctuaries, quarantine stations, and even prisons. That’s why islands often hold a distinct identity—reflected in their traditions, crafts, cuisine, and most certainly, in the character of their people.
In Kerkena, the archipelago of the charfiya, perhaps more than anywhere else, the curious traveler encounters a truly unique world.
The publishing house Alif, through its collection « Flavors and Know-How », has taken an interest in this distinctiveness and has just released a book dedicated to the island. Titled “Kerkena, the Archipelago of the Charfiya,” it presents the island as unlike any other.
« Islands and islets have an ancient history and a unique natural wealth that islanders preserve by continuing to practice fishing techniques in harmony with their environment. » In Kerkena—and nowhere else—people can own parcels of the sea, and meet women who are raïs-pêcheur (captain-fisherwomen).
The charfiya, a traditional fishing technique passed down through generations, is now inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
So yes, Kerkena is not just a place for breathtaking sunsets and turquoise seas—it is much more than that, and this book beautifully brings it to life.
