ELKADER — The small town of Elkader may seem like an unlikely place to foster an international partnership with a Muslim-majority country in North Africa.
ELKADER — The small town of Elkader may seem like an unlikely place to foster an international partnership with a Muslim-majority country in North Africa.
But it would only be surprising to those unfamiliar with Elkader’s history or where the Clayton County city of 1,213 people got its name. For those in the know, it makes sense the city is hosting a delegation of Algerian dignitaries this week, including a cultural festival Saturday.
“I think we’re so divided right now. It’s important, especially for our young people coming up, (to see) culture co-exists can happen, and we can do it peacefully,” said Elkader Mayor Josh Pope. “This is our history. We’re named after Emir Abdelkader. It’s good for our youth to learn in the community, to understand, and then as we continue to do more business, and more interaction, everybody feels like they know them and can feel comfortable with them. That’s why I think it is important.”
The event will feature a film on Abdelkader and Algerian food, speakers and music. It’s also a chance for the community to meet the estimated dozen or so Algerians who will make the trek.
“Everybody is excited about them coming,” Pope said, noting there have been past visits by Algerians but not on this scale. “It could be very interesting for the whole community. I’m hoping for a big turnout.”
The dignitaries, which could include the Algerian ambassador to the United States, will come not just for the festival. Pope hopes it’s a chance to work on long-term business deals, cultural exchanges and, perhaps one day, a partnership between the country and Iowa.
Elkader’s cultural group Elkader International Connections will work with the Algeria’s On the Footsteps of the Emir on details of cultural exchanges. The mayor hopes they include classroom interactions between sister cities Elkader and Mascara, a city of about 150,000 in Algeria.
“We have a chance to connect and be part of something that’s really unique, and I think we should grow on that,” Pope said.
Elkader, founded in 1846, took its name from the Emir Abdelkader, described as the Algerian George Washington, a Muslim who brought together tribes and factions in what’s now Algeria to unite against colonial French rule in the 1830s and 1840s.
Since the agreement between the cities, the relationship has both floundered and flourished. One notable high point came when Algerians donated $150,000 to Elkader after the 2008 flood. After Pope was sworn in last year, he renewed a commitment to the partnership.
That resulted in the mayor making several trips to Algeria. His most recent visit in July led to this weekend’s events in Elkader.
The dignitaries, including state elected officials, arrived Wednesday.
“The hospitality over there is wonderful, and we try to reciprocate it here,” Pope said.
