Algeria: the 10th European cultural festival

The dialogue between cultures is the basis of the 10th European Cultural Festival, which opens Sunday in Algeria, during which a hundred of artists from sixteen countries will take place in Algiers, Constantine and Tlemcem, on traditional rhythms, jazz and flamenco.

•     Norway, although not part of the European Union is the guest of honour at this festival whose 10th edition coincides with the 30th anniversary of the opening of the EU office in Algeria, said Laura Baeza, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Algeria, which organizes it.
  
      This event will be primarily musical, with a score of concerts including the Swedish group Stephen Simmonds and Friends will open the festival on Sunday night in Algiers.
  
      This festival is an instrument for intercultural exchange, which is essential for the maintenance of peace and cohesion of the world, and it is an opportunity to show the European cultural diversity said Baeza.
  
      Concerts are scheduled in Algiers, but also in Constantine, Bejaia (east), Tlemcem and Oran (west), including the pianist and composer Hans Ludermann (Germany), combining jazz and African rhythms, gypsies of Granada (Spain) or etnic, a Romanian ethno-pop.
  
      Portuguese Katia Guerreiro, the new generation of fado singers or Dag Arnessen Trio (Norwegian folk music) mix with the French jazz quartet Aldo Romano or Malian Habib Koité playing under French colours as The Robert Mitchell trio (Great Britain ) mixing jazz, electro, hip hop and folklore.
  
      The Diwan Gaâda Bechar (Algeria) will close the festival with songs and melodies of the Sahara revisited by jazz or blues, from the city.
  
      The 2008 festival had attracted about 10,000 spectators.
      
      
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.