Bendouda Launches Heritage Month with Museum Reform and Rock Art Festival Plan
By Dr. Hana Saada
Algeria’s Minister of Culture and Arts, Malika Bendouda, launched the national Heritage Month on Saturday at the Palace of Culture Moufdi Zakaria in Algiers under the theme “Our Heritage… Our Civilisation.”
The event, attended by senior officials and institutional representatives, framed the annual programme as both a cultural showcase and a signal of policy direction in heritage management.
In her remarks, Bendouda cast heritage as a stabilising reference point in a volatile international context, arguing that Algeria’s historical depth underpins its standing as a crossroads of civilisations while imposing responsibilities for preservation and transmission.
She announced the creation of a national rock art festival, presented as a contribution to global heritage recognition and a means of highlighting Algeria’s prehistoric legacy. This year’s programme includes more than 2,100 activities nationwide aimed at strengthening preservation and public engagement.
More substantively, the minister outlined a shift in museum policy, moving from a conservation-led approach towards one focused on social, economic and digital impact. Plans include the creation of ten new national museums, among them an institution dedicated to Algerian theatre.
The programme also features academic conferences, including on Augustine of Hippo, alongside seminars on manuscript heritage and training sessions for sector professionals.
At the international level, Algeria is continuing efforts with UNESCO to secure recognition for additional tangible and intangible heritage elements.
A donation of 19th-century artworks and rare manuscripts by collector Kouider Benchikou to national museums in Constantine and Bou Saâda underscored the role of civic contributions to heritage preservation.
Exhibitions held alongside the launch brought together institutions from across the country to showcase conservation practices and UNESCO-listed heritage.
The event concluded with a meeting of national museum directors focused on implementing the announced reforms and addressing operational challenges in the sector.
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