Algerian Radio
A rich and varied program, featuring numerous cultural activities, has been set for the celebration of the Amazigh New Year, scheduled from January 10 to 12 in the Wilaya of Béni Abbès. The event will also host the 6th edition of the President of the Republic’s Prize for Amazigh Literature and Language, according to a statement made on Wednesday in Algiers by the Secretary-General of the High Commission for Amazighity (HCA), Mr. Si El Hachemi Assad.
During a press conference held at the Algerian Television headquarters dedicated to presenting the national festivities for the Amazigh New Year (Yennayer 2976), Mr. Assad specified that the slogan chosen for this year's edition, "From Beni Abbes... Yennayer Shines for Victorious Algeria," reflects "the pride of belonging to one and indivisible Algeria and to a victorious Algeria."
A National Caravan and Cultural Festivities
In this context, he announced the departure of a national caravan dedicated to the event on January 9. It will travel from the "Houari Boumediene" Airport railway station to Abadla (Wilaya of Béchar), and then proceed by land to the Wilaya of Béni Abbès.
He emphasized that this caravan embodies "the cultural richness and diversity with which Algeria abounds, much like the Amazigh language in its different linguistic variants."
The event will be marked by the organization of several cultural activities, including the unveiling of an artistic fresco in Béni Abbès titled "Arabic and Tamazight." This artwork was created under the supervision of the National Public Museum of Islamic Calligraphy in Tlemcen, he added.
A space will also be dedicated to the "Yennayer Market," featuring booths reserved for books to allow authors and creators to promote their works, as well as booths dedicated to startups.
Conferences and Heritage
The program also includes a scientific conference on "The Historical and Civilizational Dimension of the Yennayer Celebration and Its Link to the Agricultural Calendar," as well as artistic performances and exhibitions of handicrafts and traditional trades illustrating the richness of the national Amazigh heritage.
Plans are also in place for a translation workshop for select works from Arabic to Tamazight, as well as a participatory forum intended for children under the theme "Yennayer, Symbol of Diversity and Unity."
The President’s Prize and Future Outlook
Mr. Assad added that participation in the 6th edition of the President of the Republic’s Prize for Amazigh Literature and Language has reached 103 candidates, applying either individually or through research centers and associations. He highlighted that the prize covers four categories: literature and translation, intangible heritage, linguistics, and technological research and digitization.
Discussing the HCA's program for the year 2026, the speaker indicated that it includes several components, such as supporting research projects and organizing workshops for journalists, in addition to continuing the development of digital platforms. In this framework, a new platform designed for Amazigh language inspectors is set to be launched.
