Nouakchott is preparing to vibrate to the rhythm of the 17th edition of the Assalamalekum Festival, the official launch of which takes place today in Mauritania. As a prelude to this major cultural event of which Algeria is the honorary partner, the organizers held a press conference yesterday at the town hall of Tevrak Zeina, one of the partners of the festival.
Kane Elimane, alias Monza, president of the festival, led the debates, surrounded by several distinguished guests. Among them, were Didier Awadi, a famous Senegalese musician, Farid Merabet, director of Longitude Communication, and Baraka Merzaya, Algerian influencer and goodwill ambassador of the European Union in Algeria.
A cultural collaboration between Mauritania and Algeria
Organized by Assalamalekoum Cultures in collaboration with ZAZA Productions, and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Youth, Sports and Relations with Parliament, as well as the town halls of Tevragh Zeina and Maghama, this edition of the festival highlights ‘Algeria in the spotlight. This special invitation underlines the importance of cultural cooperation between Mauritania and Algeria, particularly in the areas of youth, culture, and sport. And more generally, Monza is a reappropriation of African history. And Farid Merabet highlights the opportunity to break down borders and advocate solidarity between Africans.
A Festival serving diversity and dialogue
The Assalamalekoum festival, since its creation in 2008, has established itself as an unmissable event for Mauritanian and African youth. it promotes cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue through music, dance, theater, cinema, and other artistic forms. Each year, it attracts an average of 20,000 people, bringing together artists and the public around the promotion of Mauritanian and African artistic heritage.
Monza stressed that this edition, placed under the sign of African solidarity and brotherhood, will be distinguished by its trip to the locality of Maghama, its stronghold. It will also highlight the mandate of Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani at the head of the African Union, thus marking the festival’s commitment to promoting artistic creation, training, entrepreneurship, and openness to the world. rural.
A first for Algerian-Mauritanian intercultural exchange
Farid Merabet, representative of Longitude Communication, highlighted the similarities between Algerian and Mauritanian cultures, emphasizing that Algeria’s participation constitutes a great intercultural exchange operation between the two countries. A delegation of 35 Algerian artists, led by the head of the National Office of Culture and Information (ONCI), will participate in this event, advocating solidarity between Africans.
Didier Awadi, the icon of Senegalese hip-hop, expressed his enthusiasm for the festival, calling it a privileged moment for the exercise of pan-Africanism. He will take the opportunity to present his latest short film โWhen We Refuse We Say Noโ, which will be screened on Wednesday. This film, which addresses the issue of sovereignty, promises to provoke deep reflections among spectators.
Monza concluded by thanking the Mauritanian authorities for their moral and organizational support. He expressed his wish that, through culture, Africa goes beyond the register of victimization and fully affirms its values, thus making it possible to benefit from the spinoffs of the cultural economy.
The 17th edition of the Assalamalekum Festival therefore promises to be rich in events and cultural exchanges, with a varied program including concerts, exhibitions, creative residencies, and discussion panels, bringing together more than 45 artists and 20,000 participants.