Algeria extends From the Mediterranean coast deeply into the heart of the Sahara, which constitutes more than four-fifths of the country’s area. The contemporary Algerian novelist Assia Djebar described this extraordinary environment as “a dream of sand.” Here, a strong Islamic influence affects most branches of Algerian society, along with the past French domination and colonial rule, during which the traditional Algerian culture was largely suppressed. These decisive events have led to a harsh struggle for independence, and the subsequent mobilization policies of post-independence regimes. An ephemeral and giddy society has emerged, whose cultural continuity has been deeply undermined after finding itself caught between a tradition that no longer masters total loyalty and modernism that is attractive yet fails to satisfy psychological and spiritual needs. However, the government has made increasing efforts to strengthen the native Berber, Arabic, and Islamic culture by giving money to open handicraft centers and by encouraging the traditional arts. Handicraft represents one of the major voices of expression of popular culture and is mainly manifested in textile production and ceramics. Furthermore, various types of music are native to Algeria, like raï (meaning “opinion” or “view”), which combines varying instrumentation with simple poetic lyrics and allows both men and women to freely express their inner voices.
Northern Africa
Algeria
Art Makers (10)
Art Spaces (8)
Cities in Algeria
Artists in Algeria
Art spaces in Algeria
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Chéraga
Diwaniya Art Gallery
Art Gallery -
Bir Mourad Raïs
Al Marhoon Gallery
Art Gallery -
Dély Ibrahim
El Yasmine Galerie D’Art
Art Gallery -
Bir Mourad Raïs
Galerie D’Art Farid Benyaa
Art Gallery -
Mohamed Belouizdad
Musée National Des Beaux-Arts D’Alger
Museum -
Alger Centre
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
Museum -
القصبة
National Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions
Museum -
Dely Ibrahim
Seen Art Gallery
Art Gallery
