ALGIERS, Algeria (RNS) — Each weekend of Ramadan, in a former art gallery just minutes from the Grande Poste d’Alger in downtown Algiers, a group of around 10 young Algerians hosts a post-Iftar jam session led by young local artists.
The gallery, called El Medrab, or “the spot” in the colloquial Algerian Arabic, was created in what the organizers call the “sharing spirit of Ramadan.” It started as a not-for-profit way for young Algerian artists to show their musical talent to the youth of Algiers and meet other musicians. One of the organizers, 23-year-old Wassim Aithadi said music has always played a role in gatherings in Algeria during Ramadan.
“Ramadan was a very good time to launch El Medrab because this is the time of reflection and cultural expression,” Aithadi told RNS.
“By night, Algiers is busy and open. Everyone is out,” added Aithadi. “So we decided for the month of Ramadan, all our events would be free, to everyone, and we would offer tea in a warm interaction between the artists and the audience.”
Arches on Boulevard Zighout Youcef, Algiers, Algeria. (Courtesy of Aimen Aimeur)
The gallery is tucked away under the iconic arches on Boulevard Zighout Youcef, the main street running the length of the waterfront. The gallery is unassuming from afar, but passerby walking down the boulevard after breaking their fast might be drawn in by the music drifting from the space out into the city.
Inside the gallery — which fits up to 60 people — the young artists honor their culture by playing traditional Chaabi music from the capital city, Chaoui music from southern Algeria, Raï music from northwestern Algeria and Kabyle music of the Berber people of Algeria. They also experiment with American songs like “The Gambler” and “Hit the Road Jack,” plus other European and Latin-style songs.
“Young talented artists in Algeria lack spaces to perform,” Aithadi said. “Here …