Car-Free Friday in Algiers-Centre: Educational and Fun Activities for Children

The Communal People's Assembly (APC) of Algiers-Centre organized a car-free day on Friday in Algiers, offering children a space for leisure and entertainment on the occasion of the spring school holidays and World Theatre Day, celebrated on March 27 every year.

"We continue to organize this type of event under the auspices of the wilaya of Algiers to revitalize cultural activities in the capital and raise awareness about the importance of living together and respecting the environment through entertainment and leisure," explained the president of the APC of Algiers-Centre, Mahdia Benghalia.

Spread out from Maurice Audin Square to the Esplanade of the Grande Poste, the various entertainment components of this "car-free Friday" were led by different cultural, sports, and social organizations affiliated with the APC of Algiers-Centre and the Directorate of Youth and Sports (DJS) of the wilaya of Algiers.

Coinciding with the celebration of World Theatre Day, many youths and children, accompanied by their families, celebrated this international day dedicated to the 4th Art alongside students from the Higher Institute of Performing Arts and Audiovisual Professions (ISMAS).

Together with the Nahla puppet theater association, artists in training at ISMAS—Younes Seria, Abdelbacet Bouali, Mayas Bachouche, Yahia Fodhil, and Aïssam Maâchou—presented several solo and duo shows. These performances addressed various socio-cultural themes through monologues, stand-up comedy, magic shows, puppetry, and clown acts.

Furthermore, the activities designed for children included, among other things, drawing and coloring workshops, arts and crafts focusing on artistic object recycling and environmental protection, board games, as well as chess, volleyball, and table tennis matches played in open spaces.

Other spaces dedicated to raising awareness about respecting the land and wildlife attracted the children's curiosity. They learned to plant stems and sow seeds while admiring several caged animals, including mammals (rabbits) and birds (chickens).