A significant event in the Algerian Berber movement is set to take place today and tomorrow at the Mouloud Mammeri cultural center in Tizi-Ouzou. The gathering, confirmed by Said Chemakh, a university professor and activist, will bring together prominent figures who have contributed to the Mouvement culturel berbère (MCB). These include Djamel Zenati, Arab Aknine, Ali Brahimi, Mouloud Lounaouci, and Said Chemakh himself.
The idea for this grand colloquium emerged from a discussion between Said Chemakh and Mouloud Lounaouci, who was one of 24 detainees during the Berber Spring events of April 1980. The two men agreed on the importance of assessing the various stages of the long-standing struggle for tamazight and human rights in Algeria. This struggle dates back to Laimèche Ali's early discussions on identity within the Parti du Peuple Algérien (PPA-MTLD).
During the two-day event, a series of conferences and testimonies will be presented by key actors in the Berber movement and the fight for human rights in Algeria. These conferences will cover significant events, including the anti-Berberist crisis of 1949, the FFS uprising in 1963, the bombers' affair in 1976, and notably the Berber Spring of 1980. The Berber Spring of 1980 will be a focal point due to its importance in the identity struggle.
Said Chemakh will deliver a conference on the MCB seminar held in Yakouren in 1980, which played a crucial role in broadening the identity struggle to include human rights, women's rights, democracy, and freedom of expression. Following this pivotal moment, events such as the 1985 peaceful protests by the children of Chouhada and the establishment of the first Human Rights League will be discussed.
The colloquium will also address other significant episodes in Algerian history, including the events of October 1988, the 1994 school strike in Kabylie, and the Black Spring of 2001. The event is structured into three parts: revisiting past events, assessing them, and based on these experiences, initiating a debate on future perspectives, particularly on the identity question.
This gathering represents a unique opportunity for reflection and forward-thinking regarding the main issues raised, primarily the identity question. It aims to consolidate the history of the Berber movement and human rights struggles in Algeria, providing insights for future actions.
The significance of this event lies in its comprehensive approach to discussing and analyzing the struggles and achievements of the Berber movement and its role in shaping Algerian identity and human rights landscape.
Key points
- The event features conferences and testimonies from key figures in the Algerian Berber movement and human rights struggle.
- The gathering assesses past events and discusses future perspectives on identity and human rights in Algeria.
- The Berber Spring of 1980 is set to be a major focus point due to its pivotal role in the identity struggle.
