Algeria's experience in protecting cultural heritage was presented at the 12th St. Petersburg International Forum for United Cultures, which took place from September 23-27. Kamal Ramadan, a heritage expert and director of the Mzab Valley Protection and Promotion Office, delivered a presentation on Algeria's leading efforts in preserving cultural heritage. The presentation, titled "The Leading Efforts of the Ministry of Culture and Arts in Preserving Living Heritage," highlighted Algeria's experience in protecting and promoting tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Ramadan's presentation focused on Algeria's legislative framework, maintenance, restoration, and protection projects, as well as efforts to preserve living heritage and ensure its continuity for future generations. He also emphasized the role of the Mzab Valley Protection and Promotion Office, established in 1970, in protecting, maintaining, and restoring heritage sites. Additionally, Ramadan discussed Algeria's efforts in preserving intangible cultural heritage, digitizing and cataloging heritage and manuscripts, and the role of specialized institutions in this field.
The presentation also touched on modern digital projects by the Ministry of Culture and Arts, including a geographic portal that uses geographic information systems to serve the protection, documentation, and valorization of cultural heritage. This portal aims to provide a comprehensive platform for managing and preserving cultural heritage sites. Algeria's participation in the forum was led by Minister of Culture and Arts, Malika Ben Doud, who visited Russia to attend the 12th edition of the forum.
During the visit, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Mzab Valley Protection and Promotion Office, represented by Kamal Ramadan, and the Rescue Archaeology Center of the Institute of History of Material Culture at the Russian Academy of Sciences, represented by Dr. Natalia Fedorovna Solovieva. The memorandum aims to strengthen scientific, technical, and cultural cooperation between the two institutions and develop partnerships in the field of cultural heritage preservation and restoration.
The memorandum also provides for the exchange of expertise, information, and specialists, opening up new avenues for cooperation between Algeria and Russia in the field of heritage protection. The signing ceremony was attended by Professor Mikhail Piotrovsky, Director-General of the State Hermitage Museum and President of the Russian Museums Association. Piotrovsky is also an orientalist and archaeological researcher specializing in Arab history and Islamic civilization.
Algeria's participation in the forum highlights its commitment to preserving cultural heritage and promoting international cooperation in this field. The country's experience in protecting tangible and intangible cultural heritage was well-received by participants, and the memorandum of understanding with Russia is expected to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of cultural heritage preservation.
The 12th St. Petersburg International Forum for United Cultures brought together representatives from various countries to discuss cultural heritage protection and promotion. Algeria's presentation and the signing of the memorandum of understanding demonstrate the country's efforts to share its expertise and best practices in cultural heritage preservation with the international community.
Key points
- Algeria showcases its experience in protecting cultural heritage at the 12th St. Petersburg International Forum for United Cultures.
- A memorandum of understanding is signed between Algeria and Russia to strengthen cooperation in cultural heritage preservation.
- Algeria's efforts in preserving tangible and intangible cultural heritage are highlighted, including its legislative framework and digital projects.
