Ouverture de la 14e édition du Festival culturel national de la chanson chaâbie à Alger
On March 20, 2023, Algerian Minister of Culture and Arts, Zouhir Ballalou, inaugurated the 14th edition of the National Cultural Festival of Chaâbi Song, held in tribute to the legendary Chaâbi artist, El Hadj M’Hamed El Anka. The festival, running until March 23, is recognized for its role in preserving Algeria’s rich cultural heritage, particularly the Chaâbi musical tradition, which serves as an authentic expression of the Algerian people’s life experiences, encompassing their joys, sorrows, and resilience.
During the opening ceremony at the Moufdi Zakaria Palace of Culture, Ballalou emphasized that this festival is a significant platform for highlighting one of Algeria’s essential elements of intangible cultural heritage. He articulated that Chaâbi music, with its soulful melodies and poignant lyrics, resonates deeply with the reality of the people. He referenced notable Chaâbi poets and musicians, such as Sidi Lakhdar Benkhelouf and Dahmane El Harrachi, highlighting how their works reflect national pride and societal issues, while maintaining the authenticity of the genre across generations.
The festival serves a dual purpose: it seeks to honor established Chaâbi music while also identifying and nurturing new talents capable of modernizing the genre without diluting its traditional essence. The Minister noted that previous Chaâbi masters like Mahboub Bati and Boujemaâ El Ankis adeptly adapted to contemporary musical styles, reinforcing the genre’s enduring relevance.
Commissioner of the festival, Abdelkader Bendamèche, underscored the event’s commitment to artistic training aimed at young artists, emphasizing the importance of supporting emerging talents through specialized workshops that had recently taken place. He stressed that training and mentorship are pivotal in safeguarding this unique Algerian musical form.
The festival’s opening night featured an enthusiastic audience and a performance led by El Hadi El Anka, who paid homage to his ancestor with the song « Al Hamdou Lillah ma bkach isti’mar fi bladna. » The evening also spotlighted young artist Lounissi Mohamed Yacine from Aïn Defla, a winner from the previous year, who performed several classic Chaâbi songs.
Seventeen contestants from various regions (wilayas) of Algeria showcased their talents in the festival, each vying for recognition and support to further their creative journeys in Chaâbi music. The festival aims to encourage these aspiring artists, such as Kourak Mohamed Amine from Tiaret and Chaâbane Mustepha from Béjaïa, both of whom were celebrated on the opening day for their performances.
The jury of this year’s festival comprises distinguished members from the cultural sector, including president Zerrouk Mokdad and members Sid Ali Driss and Nacer Mokdad, among others. The opening ceremony was further enriched by the screening of a documentary film detailing the life and legacy of Hadj M’Hamed El Anka, alongside a video showcasing the training sessions the contestants attended in preparation for the festival.
Established in 2006, the National Cultural Festival of Chaâbi Song continues to be a crucial initiative for preserving this popular music genre. It aims to fortify the cultural fabric of Algeria by focusing on educational and developmental aspects for the younger generation of artists, ensuring that the Chaâbi tradition not only survives but thrives in a modern context.
In essence, the festival represents both a celebration of Algeria’s artistic heritage and a commitment to fostering new voices within the Chaâbi genre, ensuring its continuity for future generations while maintaining the core values that define it. The integration of training programs and the recognition of emerging talents contribute significantly to this goal, positioning the Chaâbi festival as a vital event on the Algerian cultural calendar.
