Algeria- In the heart of Algiers, the 10th edition of the National Cultural Festival for Women’s Creations opened on the evening of Saturday, October 18, amid vibrant and festive atmospheres. The event gathered a diverse presence of women artists, artisans, and poets from various provinces across the country. Yet, behind the colors and melodies, the festival was far more profound than a mere artistic gathering—it was a renewed declaration of Algerian women’s desire to be seen, to have their voices heard, and to present their creativity as an act of cultural resistance.

Since its founding, this festival has not merely been a showcase for celebration; it has been an open space for women to express themselves beyond the traditional molds that have long confined them. In every edition, participants redraw the boundaries of women’s presence in the public sphere—through art that creates beauty, voices that carry memory, and hands that weave hope with threads of craft and story.

The Saharan Woman in the Spotlight: Symbol of Land and Identity
Choosing the Saharan woman as the central theme of this edition was no coincidence. The Sahara—with its symbols of strength, patience, and endurance—mirrors the journey of Algerian women who have stood resilient against oblivion. Highlighting the Saharan woman is an acknowledgment of creativity that has long remained on the margins—geographically distant from the center, yet equally deep and genuine.

Through the exhibitions and performances presented by the women of the South, the Sahara appeared not merely as a geographical space, but as a memory speaking in the language of color, symbol, and movement. The message was clear: creativity is not the privilege of major cities; it blossoms in every corner of this nation when women are given the right to appear.

From Participation to Cultural Action
What distinguishes this edition is its shift from simply showcasing talents to embracing participatory cultural practice—where art intersects with dialogue about women’s issues in the public sphere. The workshops and intellectual meetings were not mere additions to the program, but platforms for discussion about women’s position in the cultural field and the ongoing struggle for institutional recognition of their creativity.

In this sense, the festival became a laboratory for empowerment—not through discourse alone, but through action: exhibition spaces managed by women, discussions led by female cultural figures, and conversations opening doors for young generations seeking the meaning of their presence in a society that still places women’s art between admiration and marginalization.

Culture as a Tool of Liberation
When a woman from the South steps onto the stage to present her painting or to weave a piece of her heritage before a national audience, she is not merely selling a product—she is reclaiming her right to narrate her own story. This is precisely the opportunity the festival provides: transforming creativity into a means of liberation from social, economic, and political silence.

The presence of women in this festival is a profoundly cultural act—but also a deeply political one: defying the margins and affirming that culture is not a luxury, but a symbolic weapon in the struggle for equality and recognition.

Beyond the Spotlight
Despite the bright atmosphere that marked the opening, this festival reminds us that the road toward cultural justice remains long. Many Algerian women artists still face challenges in production, distribution, and support, and their representation in cultural decision-making positions remains limited. Nevertheless, each edition of the festival represents another step toward dismantling the patriarchal structure of the cultural scene and redefining culture as a right for women as well.

Creativity as an Act of Survival
This festival stands as an annual event and a living memory, renewed with every woman who insists on existing despite the challenges. In their paintings, poems, and the woven rugs carrying the stories of their grandmothers, Algerian women proclaim that creativity is an act of survival—and that every artistic work is a testimony to how Algerian women no longer wait for the light; they create it.