Algerian Radio
On Thursday evening, the artistic performances of the 43rd Timgad International Cultural Festival officially began at the new open-air theater adjacent to the archaeological site in the wilaya of Batna. Running until July 13, the opening took place in a festive atmosphere and witnessed a remarkable turnout from the public.
The opening of this event which has returned with a fresh look after a three-year hiatus, was attended by the Wali of Batna, Mr. Riad Ben Ahmed, alongside the Festival Commissioner, Mr. Abdellah Bougandoura, as well as various artists and intellectuals.
During his inaugural speech, the Festival Commissioner, Mr. Abdellah Bougandoura, highlighted that an artistic program featuring renowned national, Arab, and African singers has been carefully curated. This aims "to elevate this festival to its rightful place on the national, Arab, and African stages."
He further stated that Timgad "is not merely a venue for artistic performances, but rather a tool to valorize our civilizational heritage and promote Algeria's deeply rooted cultural and tourist destination."
According to Bougandoura, among the objectives of the 2026 edition of the festival are "opening spaces for international cultural exchange by inviting bands and artists from different countries, and boosting the local economy by stimulating commercial and service activities throughout the festival." He also mentioned "enhancing digital culture by broadcasting the festival's events across various platforms."
The Timgad stage witnessed a strong presence of traditional melodies, notably through the "Thaziri" Rahaba band from Batna, which entertained the audience with authentic songs. They were followed by the ballet troupe of the National Office of Culture and Information (ONCI), which presented diverse choreographic tableaus, adding a magical touch to the newly renovated stage.
The undisputed star of the evening was the "Prince of Rai," Cheb Mami, whose appearance on the new stage ignited the stands. The audience gave him a long standing ovation and enthusiastically sang along to snippets of his most famous hits.
The festival's program for this edition, which runs until July 13, features well-known Algerian artists such as Houari Benchenet, Hamid Belbech, Nadia Guerfi, and the band Tikoubaouine, alongside artists from Tunisia, Syria, Mauritania, and Chad.
