ALGIERS: Minister of Culture and Arts of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria HE Dr Soraya Mouloudji affirmed that cultural relations with Qatar are characterized by depth, harmony, and continuous cooperation, reflecting the spirit of understanding and brotherhood between the peoples of both countries.
In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), the Minister stated that Qatar's selection as the Guest of Honour for the 27th edition of the Algiers International Book Fair is a testament to the esteemed relationship and mutual commitment to strengthening cultural cooperation between the two nations.
She praised Qatar's distinguished participation in the fair, which enriched its cultural program, highlighting the role of Qatar's Ministry of Culture in this regard. She expressed her commitment to further enhancing cultural exchange and cooperation between Algeria and Qatar in the near future.
Regarding this year’s Book Fair, the Minister noted that Algeria's Ministry of Culture is consistently working to elevate this significant cultural event on all levels, particularly through the cultural activities accompanying the fair. She emphasized the ministry’s dedication to preserving Algeria’s rich cultural heritage and showcasing its authenticity and civilizational depth through various festivals and cultural events.
When discussing the Ministry’s strategy to achieve the cultural revival seen in Algeria, she said that the country is deeply committed to advancing the cultural landscape across various fields such as literature, publishing, theater, cinema, artistic training, and the preservation and promotion of tangible heritage. She added that the ministry relies on active participation from experts in diverse cultural and artistic fields as a key consultative mechanism.
She highlighted several cultural projects, including ongoing efforts to preserve and classify Algeria’s cultural heritage, enhancing support for literary and artistic creativity, improving the status of artists, and achieving higher standards in artistic education for youth in higher institutes of cinema, visual, dramatic, and musical arts. This also includes national competitions in poetry, painting, singing, and theater, led by the Algerian Presidents prize for young creators.
Regarding the ministry's focus on Algerian theater, she noted that Algeria’s theatrical tradition is both long-standing and open to diverse artistic schools, including experimental ones. After independence, Algerian theater flourished, establishing genuine milestones in its evolution.
The minister stated that Algeria produces more than 100 theatrical performances annually, encompassing both adult and children's theater. She emphasized that the numerous major awards won by Algerian theater groups at international festivals are a testament to the vibrancy and dynamism of the country’s theater scene.
She emphasized her country's strong commitment to preserving cultural heritage through strategies that include strengthening and updating legal frameworks, developing protection plans, and restoring archaeological sites. She noted that numerous elements of Algeria’s intangible cultural heritage have been inscribed on UNESCO's heritage list.
The minister highlighted that Algeria currently has seven sites listed as World Cultural Heritage and is working to register additional ones. She pointed out the recent revival of archaeological research in Algeria, with multiple excavations carried out across various archaeological sites throughout the country. Some of these excavations are organized under research projects led by specialized research centers. In this regard, she mentioned that the Algerian Ministry of Culture and Arts has launched a new platform to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property. Additionally, an Algerian archaeological map has been developed, compiling the results of archaeological research and inventorying cultural properties on a single map. A digital application featuring an interactive map has also been created, with over 25,000 archaeological sites and historical landmarks documented so far.
On another note, the Minister stressed Algeria’s support for efforts to deepen integration, cooperation, and solidarity among Arab peoples, particularly in the cultural field. She emphasized that cultural endeavors remain the greatest ambassador among Arab nations and between the Arab world and the rest of the globe.
She also underscored the importance of the cultural economy, describing it as an essential pathway to achieving development and sustainability. She added that there is a focus on exploring the relationship between culture and sustainable development, considering it a critical factor in fulfilling development commitments in Arab countries. This includes fostering social cohesion, integration, improving quality of life, developing production methods and management systems that do not deplete the planet’s natural resources, and preserving the supreme function of culture, mainly protecting the identity and cultural memory of Arab peoples.
In conclusion, the minister affirmed to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that Algeria is fundamentally committed to supporting all Arab initiatives aimed at enhancing cultural cooperation and is keen to involve all Arab countries in its cultural events, particularly international ones.