Third Arab-African folk dance festival brings cultures closer

26/11/2008

Performers from different countries arrived in Algeria to participate in the Arab-African folk dance festival. Organizes and people see the festival as a bridge to connect cultures and traditions.

By Kaci Racelma for Magharebia in Algiers – 26/11/08

[Kaci Racelma] A Lebanese dance troupe performs at the start of the third Arab-African folk dance festival in Tizi Ouzou.

The third Arab-African folk dance festival launched Sunday (November 22nd) in Mouloud Mammeri Cultural Centre in Tizi Ouzou to the sight of significant crowds of fans and Algerian and international delegations.

The festival is presenting a large number of performers from Algeria, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, France and other countries.

"It is a bridge between peoples and cultures and a place for mutual enrichment and exchange," said Ali Ould Ali El-Hadi, the festival's administrator.

"It is a crossroads for art and culture, and synonymous with solidarity between peoples and inter-cultural and inter-civilisation dialogue, working to promote peace across the world."

The Algerian culture ministry sponsored the festival, with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika as the patron. It will run through November 27th.

"We're delighted to be one of the troupes performing in this festival," said Entissar Abdelfatah Ghabn, choreographer and head of the Egyptian delegation. This is the second time his team performed at the festival. Ghabn is also a member of the jury.

Nine Algerian troupes will perform in the festival – a significant participation: Billal Eddiwan (Mascara), Essaadat El Foulkloria from Djelfa, Naas El Mâana from El Bayedh, Houari Boumediene from Tlemcen, El Kahina from Batna, and three troupes from Tizi Ouzou such as Beni Yenni, were all present, along with the National Ballet.

"This folk dance festival allows the local people to unwind and to stand alongside other landmark socio-cultural events in regions around the world," said Nadia Mellah, a student at Mouloud Mammeri University in Tizi Ouzou.

Mouloud Mammeri Cultural Centre will host some of the performances, but others will perform in surrounding county towns, such as Tala Athmane, Drâa Ben Khedda and even Tizi Rached.

Discussion forums covering folk dance are also planned, and will be led by researchers, anthropologists and university figures.

The festival will help Algeria to promote its tourism and culture, participants said.

"The world will be given a different picture of an Algeria which is opening up to the world and working to bring cultures and peoples closer together," said Idir Hadadi with the Waterloo troupe, which is made up of Amazighs who have settled in France.

Sabrina, who is also a participant from France, said that, to her, the festival helps her "rediscover my ancestors’ culture and to take our place among the other cultures of the world."

Theologian Maria, who chairs the Greek Karagouna Folk Association, said she was impressed by the organisation of the festival and the hospitality of Algerians.

"I'm very happy to be involved in this important event which allows different cultures to accept one another and to draw closer together."