Date: Thursday, December 5, 2024
Category: Culture
Minister of Culture and Arts, Zohir Ballou, presided over a directive meeting with provincial directors of culture and arts at the Palace of Culture “Moufdi Zakaria” in Algiers on Thursday. The session focused on short- and medium-term policies and the executive program for 2025.
Minister Ballou urged participants to embrace an operational roadmap aligned with government directives and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s vision. The theme, “Culture is a right for all Algerians without exclusion,” emphasizes inclusivity across cultural domains such as literature, cinema, theater, heritage, music, and visual arts. The goal, according to the minister, is to ignite a genuine cultural renaissance characterized by efficiency, sustainability, and broad participation.
Key Highlights
- Sector Evaluation and Strategic Planning:
The meeting served as a platform to assess the current state of the cultural sector and outline actionable plans. Ballou emphasized the need for progressive management approaches that position culture as a strategic sector integral to Algeria’s development. - Cinema Revival and Infrastructure:
Reflecting the President’s directives, Ballou stressed the importance of achieving a cinematic revival. This involves reopening closed cinemas, intensifying activities in operational theaters, and generating revenue through screenings of both Algerian and international films. The recently established National Cinema Authority will oversee cinematic activities and consolidate existing institutions to drive this goal. - Cultural Heritage Protection:
The minister reaffirmed the commitment to safeguarding cultural properties classified as national and UNESCO World Heritage sites. This initiative aligns with Algeria’s historical responsibility and international obligations, emphasizing rigorous management and preservation practices. - Museum and Library Development:
Ballou highlighted the need to revitalize museums and central libraries, fostering a culture of reading among younger generations. He also stressed the importance of incorporating modern digital tools and leveraging start-ups to advance digitization across all institutions. - Comprehensive Sectoral Engagement:
The minister underscored the necessity of a collaborative and inclusive approach. By engaging cultural practitioners and leveraging creative industries, Algeria aims to enhance its cultural influence locally and internationally.
This meeting is part of broader efforts to implement a cohesive cultural strategy that aligns with Algeria’s socio-economic aspirations and international cultural commitments.
Visit DZWATCH for more details.
Author: Nor-Eleslam
Keyphrase: Algerian culture strategy, cinema revival, cultural heritage preservation, inclusive cultural policies
