Algiers, November 4, 2025 – The Minister of Culture and Arts, Malika Bendouda, inaugurated the international forum “Algeria in Civilization” today in Algiers. The event is being held as part of the 28th Algiers International Book Fair (SILA 2025).
In her opening remarks, Minister Bendouda stated that the forum serves as an “invitation to reflect on Algeria’s journey within civilization, dating back to the earliest rock paintings in Tassili N’Ajjer.” She emphasized that Algeria’s history “is not limited to past events, but rather manifests as a continuous path of creativity, resistance, and enlightenment.”
The Minister highlighted that the uniqueness of Algerian culture lies in “its ability to be a bridge between shores, between memory and the future, between the spirit and the mind, between openness and belonging.” She added that Algeria “does not view civilization as a mirror reflecting its image, but as a space in which it participates in shaping it.” The forum, she asserted, “confirms that Algerian thought, in its diversity and richness, remains an integral part of the general human current.”
Following the official opening, Bendouda affirmed that the forum “strengthens the soft cultural diplomacy” pursued by Algeria through “activating the role of culture and highlighting its rich civilization and heritage.” She also reiterated the country’s commitment to protecting tangible and intangible cultural heritage from theft and encroachment.
The head of the forum’s scientific committee, Bouzid Boumediene, discussed Algerian texts throughout history, noting their local roots and the influence of geography, political and social transformations, and global trends on their scope and nature. He mentioned the writings of St. Augustine, Apuleius, Emir Abdelkader, Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abd al-Karim al-Maghili, Malek Bennabi, Mohammed Dib, and Mohammed Arkoun, all of which, he said, “are characterized by their human dimension at their core and embody dialogue and understanding.”
DZWatch will continue to provide updates on the Algiers International Book Fair and related cultural events.
