Chenani and Farida Sellal — a cultural encounter around the imzad

Activities

Symposiums

Symposiums

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The Imzad Encounters

Note: For all the events organised by the “Sauver l’Imzad” association.

Each year, an action plan is proposed. A general assembly is held to approve the action plan. All of the imzad encounters, from conception to realisation, as well as the photographs and videos, are

the property of Farida Sellal, who has always assigned her copyright to the benefit of the Sauver l’Imzad association that she chairs. 

 

1er Colloque international d’Imzad 2005

(PDF VERSION)

 

 Where does the imzad come from? We hardly know. Where is the imzad going? Is it for us to say?

The creators are there for that. And yet, what can we say and what can we do?

To see to it that the imzad, faced with the twenty-first century, is protected from the two perils that threaten it: falling into disuse or losing its soul. That is what the Association has been doing since 2003. Indeed, since 2003 the “ Sauver l’Imzad ” Association has committed itself to safeguarding the IMZAD, the traditional musical instrument of the Tuareg. With the organisation of this first imzad encounter in 2005, the “Sauver l’Imzad” association called upon researchers of the scientific world, UNESCO and the Algerian Ministry of Culture to establish a genuine strategy for the preservation of this legendary instrument.

2ème Colloque international 2010
The imzad, from tradition to modernity

 (PDF VERSION) 

 

A cultural, artistic and scientific approach combines in a concern for communication.  To make this national heritage  known,  to give value to an identity-bearing element on the way to extinction, speakers and researchers were selected, among others, Pr. Edda Brandes, Pr. Mourad Yelles, Pr. Pierre Augier, Dr. François Borel, Pr. Caroline Card Wendt, Dr. Cyril Isnart, Pr. Mohamed Aghal-Zakra, Dr. Faïza Arkam etc… who enriched  this encounter with a scientific expertise that made it possible to consolidate the measure of what is at stake around the Imzad. How can cultural resources be mobilised according to principles that protect and preserve their deepest essence ? How can the safeguarding of a heritage of oral tradition be founded upon an enduring preservation?  

3ème Colloque international 2011
The poetry of the desert people

(PDF VERSION) 

 

Over these last five years, the reality is there, more alive than ever. Here we are debating tradition and modernity ; what does “ saving the imzad ” amount to? What does “ saving the imzad ” cost? A unique experience, as grandiose as it is rudimentary, like the instrument itself! And, to go beyond these figures, the safeguarding of the imzad reminds me of the Lapp poet Kumalau Tawali, who said :

“  One day I shall reach the source once more

    There, to what was my cradle

    Another peace

       Will welcome me ”

4ème Colloque international 2019
Traditional sporting practices and sustainable cultural tourism

(PDF VERSION)

 

Starting from the description and analysis of traditional sporting games, from inventories with a precise description and an analysis of regional games and of players’ behaviours across the world, scientists tell us about them. Internal logic and external logic: games set back into their cultural context: rites, leisure, physical education: can the singularity of each game be reconciled with the universality of games as a whole: play-diversity or play-unity ? 

What might the economic benefits be in terms of sustainable cultural tourism development: the contribution of traditional sporting practices?