« Les Contrebandiers de l’histoire », une réponse percutante de Rachid Boudjedra aux néocolonialistes
Summary of "Les Contrebandiers de l’histoire" by Rachid Boudjedra
In an upcoming publication by Dar El Hikma, Rachid Boudjedra, a distinguished Algerian novelist, presents "Les Contrebandiers de l’histoire." This work serves as a compelling counter-narrative to the misleading claims set forth by authors Boualem Sansal and Kamel Daoud. The book is crafted in the form of a pamphlet, aiming to provide "a critical, caustic, and impactful response" to the misrepresentations of Algeria’s history and culture by these writers.
Boudjedra’s work confronts what the publisher describes as the "neo-colonial writer" who has distorted Algeria’s historical truths, dismissed its culture, and neglected its geography. This publication is presented as a significant intellectual rebuttal from Algerian elites against a deceptive campaign intended to mislead public opinion, propagated by Sansal and Daoud. Additionally, Dar El Hikma highlights that this campaign is supported by French colonial elites with a history of war crimes and elements of the far-right.
Emphasizing the need for the book to be published in both Arabic and French, the publisher notes that Boudjedra’s text acts as a sharp critique of the nefarious intentions of colonialist elites who use figures like Sansal and Daoud as tools for biased dialogues. Boudjedra’s work is described as an argumentative treatise that exposes colonial literary roots that aspire for a revival of colonial attitudes, undermining the will of the Algerian people and appropriating their identity.
"Les Contrebandiers de l’histoire" aims to expose neo-colonial literature, unveiling the hidden agendas and misleading notions associated with the concept of neo-colonialism. Boudjedra targets selective Western slogans that profess values like freedom of expression but often operate under a double standard. Overall, this work positions itself as a significant, timely reaction against colonial narratives, stressing the importance of authenticity and resistance in Algeria’s literary and cultural discourse.
