Physical Address
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The Algerian National Theater Mahieddine-Bachtarzi (TNA) hosted on Wednesday and Thursday the dress rehearsal of the play “132 years… So that no one forgets”, an adaptation of three texts by Ould Abderrahmane Kaki. This show, presented as part of the 62nd anniversary of independence, aims to revive the collective memory and pay tribute to the struggle of the Algerian people.
By combining “Ya chaâb Ed’Dhelma”, “Ifrikya qabl el âam 1” and “132 ans”, this performance offered an ambitious historical fresco, exploring the recurring themes of the struggle for freedom, national identity and African pride. The choice to associate the Palestinian cause with that of Algeria was a strong choice, highlighting the bonds of solidarity between oppressed peoples and the permanence of struggles for justice.
From the very first notes, the artists, proudly wearing the colours of Palestine, launched a cry of solidarity with the Palestinian people. Their energetic dances and powerful music highlighted the determination of Palestinians, especially those in Gaza, to resist the Zionist occupation. The performance was a poignant reminder of the suffering endured by the Palestinian people for nearly ten months.
Mohamed Takirat’s staging, while aiming for a historical fresco, encountered some difficulties. The transition from one scene to another was sometimes abrupt, disrupting the rhythm of the performance and making it difficult for the spectator to immerse himself. The scenography, sober and refined, created an atmosphere conducive to reflection, but the excessive use of video projection sometimes blurred the readability of certain scenes.
While the intention to pay tribute to Kaki is commendable, the staging raises some questions. The text, although rich in symbols, suffered from a certain repetitiveness and a lack of originality. The insistence on slogans, although meaningful, sometimes gave the impression of a certain redundancy. The choreographic sequences, for their part, brought a touch of dynamism and emotion to the performance, but were not enough to compensate for the texts.
Adapting Kaki’s works is a delicate exercise. How do you renew a work that is deeply rooted in its time? How do you avoid falling into the trap of nostalgia? These questions are not entirely resolved by Mohamed Takirat’s staging, according to some critics present at the show.
The cast, made up of experienced actors and young talents, offered uneven performances. Some were able to embody their characters with accuracy and emotion, while others remained in the background.
The show took place in the presence of the Minister of Culture and Arts, Soraya Mouloudji, senior officials at the Ministry of Mujahideen and Rights Holders and several members of African delegations who took part in the International Seminar on the Algerian Revolution in its African Dimension, held in Algiers on July 23 and 24 under the slogan, “Algeria-Africa, a common memory, a single destiny and a promising future.”