Algiers – dzwatch.dz
Algeria reaffirmed its leadership in cultural diplomacy as Minister of Culture and Arts, Malika Bendouda, inaugurated the Arab Cultural Heritage Sessions on Thursday in Algiers. The two-day event, organized in cooperation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), highlights the importance of protecting and promoting Arab cultural heritage in the face of mounting challenges.
In her opening remarks at the Palace of Culture Moufdi Zakaria, Minister Bendouda stressed that safeguarding Arab heritage is a “central and strategic issue,” praising Algeria’s role as the first host country for this pioneering ALECSO program.
Heritage Under Threat Amid Conflicts
The minister warned that armed conflicts not only endanger lives but also target the memory and cultural identity of nations. She condemned the systematic Israeli aggression against Palestinian cultural heritage, which has destroyed historic sites and monuments in an attempt to erase Palestinian identity.
“Algeria’s solidarity with Palestine is unwavering. Protecting Palestinian heritage is not only a moral duty but also a pan-Arab and humanitarian responsibility,” Bendouda declared.
Algeria’s Role in Arab Cultural Cooperation
Algeria continues to play a key role in ALECSO-led projects, from leading the file on Arab traditional games to contributing actively to the preservation of traditional pottery. Upcoming cultural events in Algeria include:
- Arab Opera Houses Forum (October 14–15, 2025)
- Arab Intangible Heritage Forum registered with UNESCO (November 26–27, 2025)
- Arab Forum on Archaeological Discoveries (December 2025)
The sessions also honored Professor Mounir Bouchenaki, a world-renowned Algerian heritage expert, whose lifelong contributions have enriched not only Algeria’s heritage but the Arab cultural landscape as a whole.
A Collective Arab Effort
ALECSO’s Director of Culture, Hamid Ennoufli, emphasized that the Algiers session is the first station in a broader program to strengthen Arab cooperation in heritage protection. He underlined that cultural heritage has become a “vital issue” in the face of wars and deliberate destruction across several Arab countries.
The opening ceremony gathered heritage experts from Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya, reinforcing the spirit of shared responsibility and cultural unity.
For more coverage on Algeria’s cultural initiatives and its leading role in Arab heritage protection, visit dzwatch.dz.
