Algeria's Minister of Culture and Arts, Malika Bendouda, has been awarded the title of 'Personnalité de l'année du patrimoine' by the Union arabe des médias patrimoniaux, recognising her leadership in safeguarding Algeria's tangible and intangible heritage.
Algeria's Minister of Culture and Arts, Malika Bendouda, has been selected as 'Personnalité de l'année du patrimoine' by the Union arabe des médias patrimoniaux. The award, announced during the inaugural edition of the Arab Heritage Media Awards in 2026, recognises her role in protecting Algeria's cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible.
This recognition highlights Algeria's growing influence in regional heritage preservation and acknowledges the ministry's strategy of treating heritage as a living memory. The approach aims to connect Algeria's cultural legacy with current and future generations, embedding it within the country's cultural, social, and economic development.
Algeria's Heritage Strategy Gains Regional Recognition
The decision to honour Malika Bendouda carries symbolic weight, reflecting the increasing visibility of Algeria's efforts to safeguard its diverse heritage. The ministry's approach emphasises the integration of heritage into daily life and national development, while also encouraging broader Arab cooperation to protect shared cultural memory across the region.
Award Criteria and Media Disciplines
The Arab Heritage Media Awards, in their first edition, recognised achievements across multiple media disciplines, including print, radio, television, documentary film, digital programmes, podcasts, photography, books, festivals, and heritage initiatives. Winners were selected by an Arab jury applying rigorous professional standards, focusing on content accuracy, documentary and creative value, presentation quality, and the contribution to transmitting heritage to new generations.
Ministry Response and Future Outlook
The Ministry of Culture and Arts welcomed the award as validation of Algeria's national efforts to document, protect, and promote its cultural heritage. The ministry stated that the recognition supports its objective to strengthen the presence of heritage in daily cultural life and ensure its transmission to future generations. The award also confirms Algeria's position within regional initiatives for heritage preservation.
