Les tombeaux royaux de Numidie proposés au classement sur la liste du patrimoine mondial « dés l’année prochaine »
Summary of the Proposal for Numidian Royal Tombs as UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The Algerian Minister of Culture and Arts, Zouhir Ballalou, announced plans to submit the nomination of the “Numidian Royal Tombs in Algeria” for inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage list next year. These ancient funerary monuments date back to the Numidian period and are located in various regions across Algeria, including Batna, Constantine, Tipasa, Ain Temouchent, Tiaret, and Tamanrasset. Ballalou emphasized that this nomination is part of a broader initiative involving 11 sites proposed for the indicative list of tangible world heritage.
The minister elaborated that Algeria is working on updating its indicative list of world heritage sites as part of a five-year action plan set for 2025 to 2029. This plan aims at catching up on past nominations and increasing Algeria’s representation of cultural, natural, and mixed sites on this prestigious list. In terms of intangible heritage, Algeria is also pursuing the inclusion of traditional crafts such as Kabyle clothing and jewelry making, as well as the art of Zellij, among others, aimed at enriching their cultural heritage portfolio.
Ballalou also highlighted the importance of the economic exploitation of heritage sites. He stated that there’s a structured approach to create revenue streams from these cultural assets. He stressed the need to develop the cultural and creative industries as a means to secure finances for the cultural sector. To achieve this, a new vision for the management and operation of historical sites and cultural parks is being adopted, enhancing services to attract more visitors and generate income.
A significant focus of the ministry is the ongoing rehabilitation of the Casbah of Algiers, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992. Current restoration work on several monuments and sites in the old Medina, such as the Citadel, is progressing well, with plans for public access soon after completion. Other monuments undergoing restoration include "Dar El Hamra" and "Dar El Kadi," along with various palaces nationwide.
As part of its archaeological efforts, Algeria has identified around 1,080 historical sites and 25 areas that are protected and have conservation plans in place according to the national archaeological map.
In the realm of cinema, Minister Ballalou announced that 16 regulatory texts are being prepared to bolster the film industry in Algeria. These regulations seek to facilitate private investment in filmmaking, including the development of studios, workshops, and post-production facilities.
In summary, Algeria is proactively working towards enhancing its cultural heritage representation on a global scale through UNESCO nominations, restoring critical historical sites, and stimulating the cultural economy, with a strong focus on both tangible and intangible heritage assets.
