Guelma – The 11th edition of the International Forum on the life and works of renowned Algerian writer Kateb Yacine (1929-1989) will take place in Guelma from October 26 to 28, 2024. The theme of this year’s forum, “The Nedjma Circle and the Popular Theatre Circle: Convergences, Divergences, and Influences,” will delve into the relationship between Yacine’s famous novel Nedjma and his contributions to popular theatre. The announcement was made by Ali Abbasi, head of the organizing committee.
Abbasi, who also serves as the president of the Association for the Promotion of Tourism and Cultural Animation of Guelma, the organizing body of the event, explained that the topic for this year was selected by the forum’s scientific council. This decision was based on the profound impact of Yacine’s literary and theatrical works in representing the realities of the popular classes, as well as his mastery of social discourse.
The forum will feature 17 presentations by scholars and experts from various countries, including France, Tunisia, and Italy, as well as professors from several Algerian universities. These contributions will explore the artistic and symbolic dimensions of Yacine’s work, particularly focusing on Nedjma, which he wrote during a pivotal period in Algeria’s history, following the outbreak of the War of Independence. The novel blends fantasy with reality, intertwining themes of history, patriotism, sacrifice, and revolutionary struggle against colonialism.
In addition to discussions on Nedjma, several presentations will examine Yacine’s significant contributions to theatre. These include works such as The Encircled Corpse, the Circle of Retribution theatre series, and The Man with the Rubber Boots. Yacine’s theatrical pieces often employed techniques that linked the text to its social context, making his theatre a voice of and for the people, addressing their concerns and aspirations.
This year’s forum coincides with the 35th anniversary of Kateb Yacine’s death (born August 6, 1929, and passed away on October 28, 1989). Alongside the academic sessions, the event will also feature a tourist tour and a football tournament for youth under 16 years old.
For more information, visit DZWATCH.
Author: Nor-Eleslam
kateb yacine nedjma popular theatre
