A tribute took place on Thursday in Tizi Ouzou to honor filmmaker Abderrahmane Bouguermouh and singer-actor Mohand Akli Belkhir, two influential names in the national cultural landscape. Hosted by the Djurdjura Cultural Association and Boudaoud Production, the gathering brought together their relatives alongside numerous performers and cultural figures.
Multiple participating artists received certificates of recognition for their efforts in promoting national arts and heritage. Trophies and symbolic tokens were also presented to the families of the two late icons.
The widows of both artists expressed deep appreciation to the organizers during the event. “Any initiative that brings my late husband’s memory back to life is always deeply welcomed,” the widow of Abderrahmane Bouguermouh told reporters.
Similarly, the widow of Mohand Akli Belkhir conveyed her gratitude to those “who revived my late husband’s memory and turned the public spotlight back onto his legacy.” She added: “It is difficult to describe the joy I feel seeing Mohand Akli Belkhir honored in today’s speeches and tributes.”
Several testimonials were shared throughout the event, notably by Youcef Boudaoud and Hamid Tadjedjit, who co-organized the commemorative program.
“Honoring these two luminaries of our cultural life is not only an acknowledgment of their contribution to national heritage, but also a sign of respect for the men they were and their artistic paths. This event also serves as a bridge for younger generations to discover our national creative history,” stated Youcef Boudaoud, producer of the documentary film screened during the gathering.
For his part, Hamid Tadjedjit, president of the Djurdjura Association, noted that he would have preferred this gathering “to occur under different circumstances than those we currently face.” He explained that given “the painful period the country is experiencing, grieved by the tragic loss of children from the Algiers orphanage, the victims of the deadly Boumerdes accident, and the fires that burned through various regions across the nation,” organizers chose “this modest ceremony to provide a space for reunion and, above all, a moment to recall the careers of these two giants of contemporary national culture.”
Hamid Tadjedjit expressed his appreciation to the hotel management for hosting the gathering, as well as to every guest who attended. He also commended representatives from the Communal People’s Assembly (APC) and Provincial People’s Assembly (APW) of Tizi Ouzou, the Directorate of Culture, and the Lumiere d’Alger Association.
The Djurdjura Association maintains a strong presence on the ground, having spearheaded numerous cultural projects and community initiatives.
Abderrahmane Bouguermouh, a film director and screenwriter, passed away in 2013 at age 73. He directed several films, most notably The Forgotten Hill (1997), an adaptation of Mouloud Mammeri’s novel, which stands as the first feature-length Amazigh-language film produced in Algeria.
Mohand Akli Belkhir gained prominence across the national artistic scene during the 1970s and 1980s, initially as a vocalist before transitioning into acting. Hailing from the village of Isserradjene in the municipality of Boudjima, he died on July 10, 2020, at age 69, leaving behind a rich legacy spanning dozens of songs.