Algeria

From the Mediterranean coast to the edge of the Sahara, Algeria’s calendar is punctuated by festivals that celebrate the country’s rich cultural heritage. These events, held throughout the year, reflect a blend of Arab, Berber, and French influences, while also highlighting the distinct customs of individual regions. One of the most prominent gatherings is the International Festival of the Sahara, staged annually in the desert town of Ouargla each December. The multi-day event honors the traditions of Saharan nomadic communities through dance performances, live music, and camel races. Sounds of the imzad and bendir mingle with the rhythmic chants of Tuareg performers, creating an atmosphere that both entertains and preserves...

By Sally Barenger On a spring day in 2019, the avenues of Algiers filled with chants and flags. The air carried a mixture of defiance and cautious hope as tens of thousands marched past...

Rising above the dense urban quarters of Algeria’s historic cities, the casbahs stand as enduring witnesses to centuries of change. These fortified citadels, often perched on hillsides or folded into coastal landscapes, are...