Algiers – On Thursday, the Minister of Culture and Arts, Zohir Bellou, presided over the honoring of Palestinian visual artists during a meeting themed “The Art of Palestinian Resistance” at the Moufdi Zakaria Cultural Palace in Algiers. The event was part of the 8th edition of the International Contemporary Art Festival.
During the meeting, held in the Palestine Pavilion, the guest of honor at this year’s festival, Palestinian artists Taysir Barakat, Bashar Khalaf, Raafat Asad, Saher Nassar, and Bashar Al-Hroub, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Algeria for its “constant and unwavering support” of the Palestinian cause. They shared their experiences of practicing art in “extremely dangerous conditions” at the risk of their lives, as they are targeted by the Israeli military due to their works, which aim to raise awareness about the Palestinian cause and condemn the violations suffered by the Palestinian people.
The Palestinian artists highlighted the resilience of the Palestinian people through their artworks, which serve as reminders of the war crimes, genocide, and massacres perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces, particularly since October 7, 2023.
The event, attended by numerous artists, painters, and professionals connected to the global art market, saw Palestinian artists receiving special recognition from the Minister of Culture and Arts, amid applause from the audience.
Additionally, Bellou honored other artists, both Algerian diaspora members and foreign artists, including Adnan Abdulrahman Ahmad (Bahrain), Ala’a Mohammad (Iraq), Abdullah Al-Awadi (Kuwait), Mohamed Benlamine (Libya), Katarina Balonova (Slovakia), Zaynab Shiaa (Mauritania), John-Marie Kelly (Ireland), Mohamed Al-Masri (Egypt), Shahida Ahmed (UK), Leila Chelli (Tunisia), and Algerian artists Yasser Amer, Zahra Sahlal Hachid, Ali Boukhalfa, Ammar Bireki, Mehdi Hachid, Kenza Bouran, and Halim Salami.
The 8th edition of the International Contemporary Art Festival will continue until December 7, welcoming 70 artists from 39 countries showcasing 145 works across various artistic movements.
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Author: nor-eleslam
