✏️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Algiers, Algeria | September 27th, 2024 — In a significant development underscoring Algeria’s dedication to safeguarding its national history, Mohamed Lahcen Zeghidi, coordinator of the Algerian-French Joint Committee on “History and Memory,” revealed on Thursday the successful recovery of over 2.25 million historical documents from France. This pivotal achievement represents a crucial step in Algeria’s long-standing efforts to reclaim its colonial-era archives.
Zeghidi made this announcement during a symposium titled “Tourism in the Service of Memory,” held at the public library in Médéa. He emphasized that the retrieval of these invaluable documents was the direct result of diligent work by the Algerian-French Joint Committee on History and Memory, established within the framework of the fundamental principles outlined in the “Declaration of Algiers” signed on August 27, 2022, by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.
“These documents, which encapsulate a pivotal and turbulent chapter in Algeria’s past, are a testament to the unyielding resolve of our nation to assert its historical narrative and confront the colonial legacy,” Zeghidi stated. He further highlighted that the archives, covering vital records of Algeria’s history during the French colonial period, are of immense historical and symbolic significance.
A Triumph of Memory and Dignity
Zeghidi underlined the importance of this achievement, pointing out that it builds on prior successes, such as the landmark return of 24 skulls of Algerian resistance fighters in July 2020, which had been housed in a French museum. This restitution had marked a crucial moment in Algeria’s quest for historical justice and further cemented the country’s commitment to safeguarding its heritage.
“This return of archival material does more than just restore historical documents to their rightful place—it reaffirms our sovereignty over our past and our identity. It is the result of years of negotiations and represents an extraordinary victory for Algeria’s historical dignity,” Zeghidi remarked.
The documents in question span numerous aspects of the colonial era, shedding light on both the administrative and personal histories of the time. They are expected to provide scholars, historians, and the broader public with a deeper understanding of the nation’s colonial experience and its long struggle for independence.
Promoting Historical Tourism: A Bridge Between Generations
Parallel to this monumental recovery, Zeghidi called for the promotion of historical tourism as a means to “revitalize the collective memory of the people, strengthen the intergenerational bond, and fortify the fabric of social cohesion.” He stressed the importance of utilizing the country’s vast historical heritage to educate the current generation on lesser-known aspects of Algeria’s rich past, particularly through organized visits to key historical sites.
Echoing these sentiments, Djilali Chamani the local tourism director, emphasized that this event was co-organized by the Directorates of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Veterans’ Affairs, in collaboration with the “Mashaal Al-Shaheed” association, to mark World Tourism Day on September 27. The event aims to promote various facets of Algeria’s history, particularly those linked to the popular resistance and the revolution for liberation.
By turning historical tourism into a national priority, Zeghidi argued, Algeria can ensure that the sacrifices of past generations are never forgotten, while simultaneously reinforcing the nation’s unity and sense of identity.
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