Algiers – Minister of Culture and Arts, Souria Molougi, presided over the ceremony for the distribution of awards to the winners of the “Cultural Cubs” competition, aimed at talented youth in artistic, visual, and literary categories, in its second edition named after the late writer and freedom fighter Mohammed Chabouki (1916-2005). The event took place at the Abdelatif Rahal International Conference Center in the capital, commemorating the National Day of Science on April 16th of each year.
The “Cultural Cubs” awards were distributed in a festive atmosphere attended by the Advisor to the President of the Republic responsible for Education, Higher Education, Vocational Training, and Culture, Mohammed Saghiri Saadawi, and the Advisor to the President of the Republic responsible for Political Affairs, Youth and Civil Society Relations, and Political Parties, Mohamed Shafik Msbah, along with the Minister of Communication, Mohamed Laqab, the Minister of Martyrs and Veterans Rights, El Eid Rabieka, and the Minister of National Solidarity, Family, and Women’s Issues, Kouthar Krikou, as well as representatives of national bodies.
Mrs. Molougi stated that this award, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Arts under the auspices of the Prime Minister and in accordance with the directives of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who attaches great importance to enhancing cultural production and supporting artists in the arts and literature, confirms the Algerian state’s support for cultural, artistic, and intellectual actors, including intellectuals, writers, and artists, especially the youth and emerging talents.
The Minister added that organizing this award also reflects “the special attention given by the political leadership in our country to support cultural production as one of the pillars of sustainable development that contributes to the advancement of Algerian society and the prosperity of the national economy through intellectual and cultural production.”
The Minister spoke about the late writer and freedom fighter Mohammed Chabouki, in whose name the award is bestowed in its second edition, describing him as “one of the prominent cultural and literary figures in the history of Algerian culture” and “the author of the famous anthem (‘Our Algeria, O Land of Ancestors’), that revolutionary poem that shook the prisons during the colonial era, breaking down all the barriers and maneuvers of the revolution’s pride.”
On this occasion, the family of the late Mohammed Chabouki was honored in recognition of his contributions to culture, where the son of the late poet received the honor from the hands of the Advisor to the President of the Republic, Mr. Mohamed Shafik Msbah, and Mrs. Molougi.
In the field of literary works, in the narrative category, the first place was awarded to Qarir Adam from the Wilaya of Ouargla, followed by Marwani Khaira Amira from the Wilaya of El Agwat in second place, and Ben Ouda Mohammed Jawad from the Wilaya of Guelma in third place.
In the field of literary works, in the poetry category, Ben Laïd Zawiya Nour from the Wilaya of Oran was crowned in first place, followed by Belhadj Lajine Mokhtar from the Wilaya of Guelma in second place, and also Qaydi Mohammed Saïd from the Wilaya of Guelma in third place.
As for the field of artistic and visual works, in the music and performance category, Tina Rouya Louiza from the Wilaya of Tiaret secured the first place, followed by Bouchawi Lina Sabiha from the Wilaya of Algiers in second place, followed by Haytashi Dina from the Wilaya of Algiers also in third place, and Adam Bouzid residing in Canada also in third place. In the visual arts category, Shurfi Nursin residing in Turkey won first place, followed by Qurainu Maisa from the Wilaya of Ain Defla in second place.
On the other hand, the Chairman of the Jury, Ismail Yabrir, confirmed that the committee “received more than 217 works that met the criteria from inside and outside the country, and based on that, recommended the continuation of following up on the creative works awarded by the institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Arts.”
The value of the awards in each category is 150,000 DZD for the first prize, 100,000 DZD for the second, and 70,000 DZD for the third, in addition to printing the written works in one volume for each category under the title “Works Awarded the Cultural Cubs Prize in the Edition of the Late Writer and Freedom Fighter Mohammed Chabouki,” and presenting the award shield.
The Ministry of Culture and Arts opened the nomination process last January for the second edition of the “Cultural Cubs” award aimed at talented Algerian youth, residing in Algeria and abroad, aged between 7 and 16 years old, in artistic, visual, and literary categories.
The “Cultural Cubs” award, established in 2023 as an annual prize, aims to encourage young creators and motivate them to continue in the fields of cultural and artistic creativity, as well as to make a contribution to the Algerian cultural and creative scene and to accompany talented youth in artistic, visual, and literary categories.
