BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS-The Minister of Culture and Arts, Soraya Mouloudji, announced on Thursday in Algiers the upcoming launch of a national competition to select the best script for a film on the life of Algerian preacher and jurist, Cheikh Mohamed Abdelkrim El-Maghili. Speaking during a plenary session at the Council of the Nation, she mentioned that her sector plans to initiate the competition under the 2024 cinematographic production assistance program.
The realization of this film project requires “the provision of necessary conditions and technical and artistic factors, such as the availability of a comprehensive script on this multidimensional personality, worthy of his pioneering role through his civilizational, cultural, and religious project in Algeria and Africa,” she added. Mouloudji recalled the production of a documentary on El-Maghili’s life in 2011 as part of the “Tlemcen, Capital of Islamic Culture” event, which traced his biography and highlighted significant milestones.
The minister also reminded of the international symposium in Algeria on December 12 and 13, 2022, focused on El-Maghili, which had a “great impact.” She emphasized that the ministry had implemented some of its recommendations, such as printing thousands of copies of a book on El-Maghili’s life and opinions in Arabic, French, English, and Hausa.
Cultural Week in Adrar Province
Continuing the implementation of the symposium’s outcomes, Mouloudji announced that her department is in the process of preparing a cultural week in the Adrar province, titled “Adrar, Capital of African Culture.” This aligns with the directives of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to emphasize Algeria’s role as a source of cultural enlightenment in Africa.
Regarding concerns about the equipment of the Ahaggar Cultural Park museum in the In Salah province, Mouloudji highlighted a significant program for cultural parks. She mentioned various national park offices benefiting from several investment operations under development programs for the Culture and Arts sector.
Mouloudji further explained that the National Park Office had received substantial funding for surveillance systems, including the acquisition of 24 4X4 vehicles and 4 trucks, along with the construction of 18 guard centers in several regions. The office is currently finalizing these operations.
Support for Artists and Copyright Office Expansion
Addressing concerns about the opening of a National Office of Copyright and Related Rights branch in Béchar, the minister confirmed that a branch was opened on January 29, 2023. This ensures artists in the region can access various services available at the central level, including memberships, declarations, and performances.
She highlighted the contributions of the National Office of Copyright and Related Rights for the year 2023, with 412 beneficiaries of social aid registered for a total of 7 million DZD. Additionally, 535 artists received supplementary retirement benefits totaling 109 million DZD.
In support of art preservation and heritage promotion, the minister noted the office’s contributions to the registration of three artistic works, along with assistance for book support and publishing in the context of reproduction.
Mouloudji also mentioned the modernization of the office’s website in May 2023, facilitating remote registration and bringing the office’s direction closer to all artists and rights holders across the national territory.
