The Minister of Culture and Arts, Malika Bendouda, oversaw the opening of the 15th edition of the National Cultural Festival of Chaabi Song on Monday evening. In her speech, the Minister emphasized that Chaabi song represents one of the most prominent manifestations of the Algerian cultural identity, carrying deep human themes that reflect the memory and history of society. She noted that for decades, this art form has served as a mirror of the Algerian conscience and a space for expressing their experiences and spiritual values.
Bendouda added that the ministry’s strategy is based on ensuring the sustainability of this heritage through “authentic renewal,” which combines the preservation of inherited artistic rules with providing opportunities for young voices to present renewed creative visions that enrich the national memory. The Minister called on the participants in the official competition to consider the mastery of musical scales and Melhoun texts as a civilizational responsibility, stressing the importance of their creativity remaining a bridge connecting the authenticity of the past with the ambitions of the future.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Advisor to the Presidency of the Republic in charge of the General Directorate of Communication, the Advisor to the Presidency of the Republic in charge of Diplomatic Affairs, the President of the National Economic, Social and Environmental Council, the Delegated Wali of the Hussein Dey administrative district, and senior state officials. The event also saw the presence of a group of cultural figures, elite artists and media professionals, and a large audience of fans of this refined art.
