Discover Algerian Cultural Riches: Ath Yenni Jewelry Festival Honors National Liberation Army’s Medal Maker

✏️ By: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | July 23rd, 2024 — The 18th edition of the Ath Yenni Jewelry Festival, held in the southeastern region of Tizi-Ouzou, commenced on Thursday at the Larbi Mezani Middle School in this mountainous locality. The festival pays tribute to one of its esteemed figures, the martyr Larbi Maarouf, renowned for his role in crafting insignias for the National Liberation Army (ALN) during Algeria’s fight for independence.

Larbi Maarouf, born on January 27, 1904, in the village of Ait Larbaa (Ath Yenni), was a pioneering jeweler who answered the call of the ALN. According to his daughter, Nora Maarouf, and Samy Cherat, the president of the festival’s organizing committee, Maarouf utilized his artisanal skills to support the revolutionary cause by producing silver insignias following the Soummam Congress on August 20, 1956, which formalized military ranks within the ALN.

His clandestine work was discovered by the colonial army after the death of his brother-in-law, who carried the insignias and a letter from Maarouf. This led to Maarouf’s arrest and imprisonment in the former Ath Yenni prison, now the venue of the jewelry festival.

After enduring severe torture, Larbi Maarouf, who had personally crafted Colonel Amirouche Ait Hamouda’s insignia, succumbed to his injuries on July 10, 1958.

At the opening of the festival, the martyr’s family, represented by Nora Maarouf, was honored with the Silver Star award, a distinction that has been given to a notable personality from the Ath Yenni region in recent years.

This year’s festival features the participation of 138 artisans, including 109 jewelers from Ath Yenni. The remainder includes artisans specializing in various crafts such as basketry, tanning, metalwork, pottery, silk painting, artisanal soap-making, and coral carving. Artisans from approximately fifteen provinces, including Tamanrasset, Tipasa, Tlemcen, Bejaia, El Kala, Ouargla, and Médéa, are also taking part.

Running until July 27, the festival serves as a platform for jewelers to address challenges, such as the scarcity of raw materials, particularly coral and silver. Samy Cherat has called for the establishment of a Raw Materials Support Fund and a Solidarity Fund for jewelers to ensure the preservation and continuity of this traditional craft.

Miloud Felahi, the Secretary General of the Wilaya, who inaugurated the festival, assured artisans of the necessary support to sustain and protect this important aspect of Algeria’s rich artisan heritage, highlighting that the reputation of Ath Yenni jewelry has transcended national borders.

The Ath Yenni Jewelry Festival’s edition promised a vibrant array of activities, including:

• Showcases and sales of traditional jewelry and handcrafted artifacts
• Workshops designed to introduce the public to jewelry-making techniques
• Live demonstrations by skilled artisans
• Lectures on the history and symbolism of Ath Yenni jewelry
• Folkloric performances celebrating Algeria’s rich cultural heritage.

About Dzair Tube Media Group

Dzair Tube has firmly positioned itself as a leading force in Algerian digital journalism, delivering a rich and diverse array of content. Available in Arabic, French, and English, Dzair Tube captivates a broad audience, drawing over half a million daily clicks.

The platform’s excellence was notably recognized with the prestigious President of the Republic’s Award for Professional Journalist in the Electronic Press category on October 22, 2022. This accolade underscores Dzair Tube’s steadfast commitment to the highest journalistic standards.

Dzair Tube’s substantial online footprint includes 350,000 YouTube subscribers, over six million followers across various Facebook pages, and 450,000 Instagram followers. The digital channel serves as a nexus for a wide range of programming, spanning news, sports, entertainment, culture, and religion, catering to a diverse audience.

Boasting cutting-edge studios and advanced technology, Dzair Tube’s digital channel has attracted a significant viewership with its varied programs. It facilitates interactive discussions with key figures from various sectors, promoting public discourse and engagement. Beyond news, Dzair Tube excels in producing marketing documentaries, short TV commercials, and high-viewership shows.

The print edition of Dzair Tube’s sports newspaper, “Dzair Sport,” further attests to the platform’s influence, with over 50,000 daily downloads from the official Dzair Tube website.

Awarded the Media Leadership Award by the Minister of Communication, Mohamed Laâgab, Dzair Tube continues to shape the Algerian digital media landscape, maintaining its position of influence and impact. Additionally, Dzair Tube’s prominence in Algeria’s media scene was celebrated at the ninth edition of the “Hilals of the Television” competition, solidifying its status as a media leader.

Stay Connected with Dzair Tube