The inaugural International Festival of Youth Folk Music and Dance officially commenced on Thursday evening in Algiers, under the theme “Terbouche Ed’Dzayer,” featuring participation from several European countries.
Running from August 28 to 31 at various entertainment venues throughout Algiers, including the Promenade des Sablettes and the Bardo Museum, this new event aims to enrich the cultural landscape of the city. The opening ceremony took place at the National Theater Mahieddine Bachtarzi (TNA).
Organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth and the Wilaya of Algiers, the festival’s inaugural evening was conceived and executed by young Anis Bourahla, and coordinated by the Directorate of Youth, Sports, and Promotion of the Wilaya of Algiers, in collaboration with the “Ahl el Fen” Cultural Association for music, dance, and theater, led by Nesrine Bourahla.
The Ahl El Fen Orchestra received a warm welcome from a large audience as they took the stage, combining their classes for this special occasion in a vibrant atmosphere. The performance featured not only accomplished musicians but also young virtuosos destined for bright careers, including brothers Idris Bey, Manyl (8 years old on the mandolin), and Samy (13 years old on the mandole), along with Anis Sahraoui (8 years old), who played the derbouka like a true professional.
Directed by Hani Bourahla, the orchestra—comprising around forty musicians—presented a repertoire of Algerian variety music performed in various musical styles from different regions of the country.
Songs such as “Behdja Bida ma t’houl,” “Ya Dzayer,” “Bladi hiya El Djazayer,” and “El Casbah wana w’lidha,” sung by the choir, were accompanied by a sequence of playback music that was danced to by the Ballet of the association. This showcased diverse styles such as Chaoui, Neili, Laâlaoui, Zendali, Tergui, Kabyle, and Algérois, transporting the audience on a beautifully dreamlike journey.
Following the folkloric troupe “Layali,” artistic groups representing folk dances and songs from European countries, including Poland and Slovakia, delivered outstanding performances, generously sharing their ancestral cultures through traditional singing and high-quality folk dancing, which greatly impressed the spectators.
In the presence of representatives from numerous diplomatic missions accredited in Algiers, the audience savored every moment of this grand spectacle, warmly applauding the various orchestras and dance troupes that graced the TNA stage.
Before the main events, the steps of the National Theater Mahieddine-Bachtarzi welcomed the Rahmania Brass Band (from southwestern Algiers), providing a preview of the joyful and festive atmosphere that characterized the opening night of this inaugural festival.
The First International Festival of Youth Music and Dance will continue on Friday at the Promenade des Sablettes.
This festival aims to create a space for friendship and exchange among the world’s peoples, focusing on the discovery and promotion of young talents in music, singing, and dance.
