Poetry in silk and the women guarding Algeria’s living memory

The air inside Sétif’s National Museum of Archaeology was thick with the scent of tradition and the rhythmic cadence of ancestral verses this Thursday as Algeria kicked off its 2nd National Days of Women’s Folk Poetry.

Under the banner “When Women Give Voice to Memory,” the event transformed the museum into a vibrant tapestry of Algerian identity. Women from 20 different provinces arrived draped in stunning traditional silks and embroidered gowns, their presence a living testament to the country’s enduring heritage.

This isn’t just a literary gathering; it’s a reclamation of history. Organized by the “Gardenia” association, the festival opening drew a massive crowd largely women who gathered to hear the sharp, soulful “S’raoui” chants of the High Plains and the rolling verses of acclaimed poets like Loubna Medjrafi and Halima Mechri. From the rhythmic “Chaoui” beats to the soulful “Naïli” songs, every performance served as a defiant echo of the past.

The timing is heavy with meaning. Coinciding with the 81st anniversary of the May 8, 1945 massacres, the festival frames poetry as a weapon of memory. Event director Radhia Adjimi described the showcase as a vital space to preserve “immaterial heritage,” ensuring that the stories of struggle and survival aren’t lost to time.

The festivities opened with a playful twist a “M’hadjiate” (traditional riddle) contest blending intellectual wit with folk music. Over the next few days, the museum will host deep-dive seminars on how folklore shapes national identity and the role of women in the oral histories that define the Algerian spirit. In Sétif, the message is loud and clear: the nation’s story is being told by the women who remember it best.