Lancement du 2e atelier de formation sur la protection du patrimoine culturel au profit des magistrats
Summary of Cultural Heritage Protection Training Session in Algeria
The Algerian Ministry of Culture and Arts, in collaboration with the Justice sector, inaugurated the second training session focused on cultural heritage protection and combating illicit trafficking of cultural goods. This event, which commenced on Saturday in Algiers, is part of the National Heritage Month celebrations, running from April 18 to May 18.
Opening Remarks
During the opening ceremony held at the Moufdi-Zakaria Cultural Palace, Minister of Culture and Arts, Zouhir Ballalou, emphasized that safeguarding cultural heritage is a collective responsibility and a national duty. He described it as a strategic challenge that reflects the nation’s identity and belonging.
Ballalou highlighted that, as of 2024, joint efforts led to the restitution of 14,651 cultural items. Additionally, the Culture and Arts sector has become a civil party in 44 cases related to the illegal trafficking of cultural goods. Within this context, the authorities have reviewed 48 cases concerning damages to immovable cultural assets—including archaeological sites and historical monuments—across 24 provinces, resulting in ten legal actions.
Restoration and Digitalization Efforts
The minister also detailed ongoing restoration efforts, revealing that 100 manuscripts and 14 lithographs have been restored, alongside the digitalization of 3,100 manuscripts at the National Library and an additional 17,000 documents elsewhere.
Recognizing the importance of specialized training, Ballalou noted that technicians from 35 public and private institutions have been trained in heritage conservation and restoration techniques. A monitoring cell has also been established to investigate, recover, and oversee cases involving cultural heritage infringements online. This initiative has successfully facilitated the return of 11 archaeological and artistic items from abroad.
Remarks from the Justice Sector
The representative of the Minister of Justice, Aoun Seifeddine, acknowledged the significance of the training session, particularly following the success of the inaugural workshop held last year. He affirmed the cultural sector’s commitment to preserving national heritage, especially in the face of international and regional threats.
Seifeddine encouraged participants to fully leverage the knowledge gained during this workshop to enhance judicial approaches to resolving cultural heritage disputes and curbing illicit trafficking. He reaffirmed ongoing cooperation with the Culture and Arts sector and emphasized the importance of collaboration with security services, administrative bodies, and civil society in protecting cultural heritage.
Training Program Overview
The first day of training, attended by judicial police officers, included several presentations, such as "The Ministry of Culture and Arts’ Strategy for Protecting Cultural Heritage" and "The Role of the National Gendarmerie in Combating Crimes Against Cultural Heritage."
Participants will engage in a hands-on educational program featuring workshops at various museums in Algiers, alongside visits to archaeological sites in Cherchell, Médéa, and Tipasa. The training workshop is set to conclude on May 8.
Through these comprehensive efforts, Algeria is striving not only to combat the illicit trade of cultural goods but also to ensure the preservation of its rich national heritage for future generations.
