Algerian Radio
The Minister of Culture and Arts, Ms. Malika Bendouda, officially opened the 15th edition of the National Cultural Festival of Chaâbi Song (March 9-12) on Monday evening in Algiers. The event is organized in tribute to the memory of two masters of this authentic musical genre, Cheikh M'hamed Bourahla and Cheikh Belkacem Khalifa.
The opening ceremony took place at the Moufdi Zakaria Palace of Culture, in the presence of the Advisor to the President of the Republic in charge of Diplomatic Affairs, Mr. Amar Abba; the Advisor to the President of the Republic in charge of the General Directorate of Communication at the Presidency of the Republic, Mr. Kamel Sidi Said; as well as the President of the National Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CNESE), Mr. Mohamed Boukhari, and the Director General of Legislative Services at the Council of the Nation, representing the President of the Council, alongside several cultural and artistic figures.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Bendouda stated that the Festival celebrates "Algerian musical heritage, the chaâbi song," adding that this 15th edition also constitutes "one of the manifestations of the Algerian personality, illustrating wisdom in the face of adversity and comfort amid the harshness of hardships."
This art "has preserved our language, our identity, and our spiritual values, tracing with sincerity and spontaneity the history of Algerians," she indicated, adding that "it is our duty to preserve this heritage."
Addressing the young talents competing in this edition, Ms. Bendouda assured them that "they bear a heavy and beautiful responsibility," especially since their ability to "master the Maqâmât and memorize the most beautiful Qsids represents the noblest form of fidelity towards the generations who preserved this art in the most difficult times." She called on them to make their creations "a bridge connecting heritage to renewal."
For his part, the festival commissioner, Mr. Abdelkader Bendameche, highlighted in his speech the importance of this event, which is "aimed particularly at the youth and seeks to discover new talents in chaâbi music."
This new edition will remain faithful to the motto of "science and knowledge" and "authenticity and openness," he said, in addition to "the study of the chaâbi song and Melhoun poetry, in order to pass the torch to the new generation, as part of the follow-up with the candidates, both before and after the festival."
The opening evening—marked by the presence of a large audience of chaâbi music lovers who came to appreciate poems drawn from the rich heritage of Melhoun poetry, reflecting the wealth of the chaâbi repertoire in Algeria—featured an artistic performance blending theater, music, and poetry. This performance highlighted, through its various scenes, the journey, history, and great masters of the chaâbi song, accompanied by an orchestra conducted by Abdelhadi Boukoura.
It was also punctuated by the entry into the competition of the candidates for this new edition. They are Hassaïni Mohamed Amine (Médéa), Touhami Zakaria (Annaba), Slimane Feriel (Blida), Blidi Omar (Béjaïa), and Ghernaout Brahim (Médéa), who performed excerpts from the authentic chaâbi repertoire, as well as major poems of Melhoun, a renowned ancestral art in Algeria. The competitors were also honored on this occasion to encourage them to perpetuate and preserve this Algerian heritage art.
The 15th edition of the National Cultural Festival of Chaâbi Song, organized under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture and Arts, sees the participation of 16 selected candidates hailing from different wilayas across the country. The jury, chaired by the artist El Hadi El Anka, is composed of Zerrouk Mokdad, Fayçal Hedroug, Mohamed Hamaïdia, and Khaled Yacine Chahlel.
The opening ceremony was also marked by the inauguration of a photography exhibition dedicated to prominent figures of the chaâbi song from different generations, alongside a book exhibition organized in collaboration with the National Enterprise of Graphic Arts (ENAG). Additionally, there was a screening of a documentary film retracing the training workshops the candidates benefited from as part of this edition, supervised by specialized teachers and researchers in the field.
The first evening of the festival concluded with a remarkable performance by the artist Sid Ali Lekkam, who performed a bouquet of famous songs from the chaâbi repertoire before a knowledgeable and passionate audience.
Created in 2006, the National Cultural Festival of Chaâbi Song aims to preserve the heritage of this popular musical genre, notably through the training of young talents capable of carrying on the legacy.
