Soummam Congress Legacy Marked by Official, Academic Commemoration
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune delivered a message on the occasion of National Mujahid Day, commemorating the historic attacks of North Constantinois and the vital Soummam Congress. His message honored the memory of the combatants who sacrificed for the homeland. In a significant historical analysis, Saïd Saâdi interpreted the 1956 Soummam Congress as a foundational step for modern Algeria, describing it as a proposal for a "citizen state" even before independence, underscoring its historical importance for national construction.
The commemoration further included the issuance of a special commemorative postal stamp marking the 70th anniversary of the Soummam Congress. Concurrently, an international symposium titled "The Culture of Resistance between History, Memory, and Imagination" is underway in Bejaia, organized under the high patronage of President Tebboune. This academic initiative aims to scientifically deconstruct and establish the culture of refusal and challenge that shaped national identity, approaching resistance as a unique human and historical process that interweaves historical documents, faithful memory, and collective imagination. The Minister of Mujahideen and Rights Holders, Abdelmalek Tachrifte, highlighted the Soummam Congress as a pivotal moment for the Glorious Liberation Revolution, enabling its broader reach and effectiveness towards victory and national sovereignty.
Complementing these efforts, a study day was initiated by the Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments, Mr. Youcef Belmehdi, at Dar Al-Imam in Algiers. This event focused on the religious dimension in solidifying national memory and preserving Algerian identity, emphasizing its role in building youth personality and strengthening citizenship values. An official ceremony was also held in Ifri Ouzellaguen, the historic site of the Soummam Congress, which included the raising of the national flag, laying a wreath at the Martyrs' Cemetery, and visiting the rehabilitated historic site. The ceremony, attended by the Minister of Mujahideen and Rights Holders, honored Mujahideen for their sacrifices, reflecting ongoing efforts to protect and enhance national memory.
