On the 21st anniversary of his assassination, thousands of Algerians gathered to pay tribute to Matoub Lounès, a symbol of the Berber movement. Despite the scorching heat, crowds flocked to his home in Taourirt Moussa, waving national and Amazigh flags. The event drew people of all ages, with many young attendees who never met him but have been inspired by his music and legacy.
The commemoration began with a visit to the site of his assassination in Tala Bounane, where a group of young people took an oath to continue his fight for identity and democracy. A delegation from the Matoub Lounès foundation, led by his sister Malika Matoub, laid a wreath of flowers at the site. Other delegations, including the Mouloud Feraoun association and the JSK football club, also paid their respects.
At Matoub's home, the atmosphere was emotional and intense, with young people singing songs, chanting slogans, and taking selfies with his portrait in the background. The crowd then moved to his tomb, where they laid more flowers and chanted slogans, including "Assa Azekka Lounes Yella Yella" and "Pouvoir assassin".
A couscous meal was offered to the attendees, and a member of the foundation asked for silence to play Matoub's last song, which was sung by the crowd in unison. Malika Matoub then spoke, highlighting the importance of continuing her brother's fight and demanding the truth about his assassination.
In her speech, Malika Matoub emphasized that those who want to follow in her brother's footsteps must demand the truth about his death. She also expressed her support for prisoners who have been detained for carrying the Amazigh flag. The crowd responded with chants of "Anili Anili", a call to action to pursue the fight for truth and justice.
As part of the commemoration, the first stone was laid for the construction of two steles dedicated to Matoub Lounès and Imache Amar, another prominent Berber activist. The construction is set to begin in July, on the anniversary of Imache Amar's death.
The event concluded with a sense of determination and solidarity among the attendees, who vowed to continue Matoub Lounès' legacy and fight for their rights. The commemoration demonstrated that Matoub Lounès' impact on Algerian society remains strong, 21 years after his tragic death.
Key points
- Thousands gathered in Algeria to commemorate the 21st anniversary of Matoub Lounès' assassination.
- The event drew people of all ages, with many young attendees inspired by Matoub's music and legacy.
- Malika Matoub emphasized the importance of demanding the truth about her brother's assassination and continuing his fight for identity and democracy.
