Algiers Opera House: Inauguration of the 14th International Symphony Music Festival
ALGIERS, April 18, 2025 – The 14th International Cultural Festival of Symphony Music, featuring Venezuela as the guest of honor, officially opened on Thursday evening at the Boualem-Bessaih Opera House in Algiers. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Minister of Culture and Arts, Zouhir Ballalou.
Also in attendance were Soraya Mouloudji, the Minister of National Solidarity, Family, and Women’s Affairs; Meriem Cherfi, the National Delegate for Child Protection; as well as representatives from various high-ranking state institutions and the diplomatic corps accredited in Algeria. The inaugural performance featured the symphonic orchestras of the Algiers Opera alongside the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela. Conductors included maestros Zahia Ziouani, Lotfi Saïdi (Algeria), and Enlouis Montes Olivar (Venezuela), who alternated throughout the evening.
In his address, Minister Zouhir Ballalou underscored that this festival dedicated to symphonic music is a “major cultural event” that has enabled Algeria to “assert itself on the international musical stage,” thereby earning “a place deserving of its greatness” among significant musical gatherings.
In this spirit, the minister reaffirmed his “commitment to continue striving for excellence that befits our country,” grounded in foundational principles aimed at training new generations of musicians. He highlighted the recent establishment of “19 music education schools for children and youth” across various cultural centers nationwide.
Festival commissioner Abdelkader Bouazzara, who also serves as the General Director of the Algiers Opera House, described this annual event as “a new opportunity” for symphonic music aficionados to discover and appreciate the “exceptional” performances of artists and musicians from diverse ensembles and nationalities.
Students from various music institutes will have the opportunity to participate in training workshops and masterclasses led by distinguished musicians and scholars from around the globe.
Under the direction of Zahia Ziouani and Lotfi Saïdi, the orchestras performed “Guillaume Tell” and “La Pie voleuse,” compositions by the renowned Italian composer Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868).
In a poignant tribute to the heroic struggle of the Palestinian people against Zionist occupation, singer Nada Rihane delivered a heartfelt rendition of “Zahratou El Madayne” (another name for Al Quds), originally sung by Lebanese artist Fairouz. This beautifully performed song, one of the most famous in the Arab world dedicated to occupied Al Quds, emerged as one of the most moving moments of the evening.
Alongside Algeria’s Algiers Opera Symphony Orchestra, ensembles from 17 countries—including Denmark, Japan, Mexico, Germany, Austria, France, Italy, South Africa, Tunisia, Egypt, and Syria—will perform throughout the festival, which runs until April 23.
