La manifestation « Alger Capitale de la Culture Hassaniya » du 21 au 23 juin à Alger
Summary of "Alger, Capitale de la Culture Hassaniya" 2025
The event "Alger, Capitale de la Culture Hassaniya" is set to take place in Algiers from June 21 to 23, 2025, under the theme "La Hassaniya nous unit" (Hassaniya Unites Us). This cultural gathering will feature numerous political, intellectual, literary, and artistic figures from Algeria, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
Organizational Details
The Ministry of Culture and Arts is the event’s organizer, and details were shared during a press conference attended by Culture Minister Zouhir Ballalou, as well as his counterparts from SADR and Mauritania. The event will kick off at the Moufdi Zakaria Palace of Culture, promising to attract significant delegations of artists, researchers, and writers, including about 40 from Mauritania and 60 from Western Sahara. The goal is to deepen cultural exchanges around Hassaniya culture, which is emblematic of this region.
Key Cultural Programs
A central highlight of the event will be the first international conference titled "La Culture Hassaniya: identité et profondeur africaine partagée" (Hassaniya Culture: Identity and Shared African Depth). Discussion topics will include scientific knowledge, historical studies of Hassani groups, cultural challenges in the face of globalization, and the importance of cultural diversity and coexistence.
The conference will address various themes such as:
- Scientific Knowledge in Hassani Societies
- Historical Studies of Hassani Groups in Western Sahara
- The National Culture’s Challenges Against Global Cultural Hegemony
- Cultural Diversity, Coexistence, and Hassani Heritage
Other topics include the intersection of folklore and poetry in Hassaniya culture, the material heritage’s African extension, cultural exchanges between Tuaregs and Hassanis, and the oral and spiritual heritage within Bidhan societies.
Cinema and Culture
An additional conference will focus on "Cinema Serving Hassaniya Culture: Documenting Heritage and Revitalizing Identity," featuring discussions on the representation of Hassaniya culture in film, its linguistic dimensions, and Algeria’s cinematic contribution to Hassaniya culture. The program will also include screenings of Algerian, Mauritanian, and Sahrawi films at the Algerian Cinematic Center.
Cultural Events
The event will host a variety of artistic programs at the Moufdi Zakaria Palace and Mahieddine Bachtarzi National Theater. Attendees can expect poetic and artistic nights that will showcase traditional instruments like "Tidinit" and "Ardin." Various exhibitions will celebrate Hassaniya culture, including its literature, craftsmanship, and the cultural park in Tindouf. These exhibitions will underscore shared customs and traditions, such as "Taghanja," "Touiza," and community conflict resolution rituals.
Future Extensions
The activities of "Alger, Capitale de la Culture Hassaniya" will extend to a second phase on November 22 and 23, 2025, in Tindouf, featuring an international meeting on "Hassani Cultural Influence in West Africa: The Sufi Movement as a Model."
The initiative represents a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Culture and Arts and the International Union of Hassaniya Writers, emphasizing the importance of cultural ties among neighboring regions. By celebrating Hassaniya heritage, the event aims to create a platform for artistic expression and cultural dialogue that highlights shared identities and histories.
In summary, the "Alger, Capitale de la Culture Hassaniya" serves as a vital cultural celebration intended to foster unity and appreciation of Hassaniya heritage among Algeria, SADR, and Mauritania, while promoting international cultural dialogue and collaboration.
