The Directorate of Culture and Arts hosted a date harvest celebration on Saturday, 24 October 2026, within the palm oases of Foughala, Biskra. Titled "My Grandfather's Skill... A Trust With Me," the event marked a regional focus on traditional agricultural heritage. The celebration held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, in the palm oases of Foughala, Biskra, served as a platform to honor the historical labor associated with the region’s primary crop. The event was organized by the Directorate of Culture and Arts under the title 'My Grandfather's Skill... A Trust With Me'.
Director of Culture and Arts stated, "The event, which is organized for the first time with this character in Algeria, goes beyond its economic dimension related to date harvesting to evoke the depth of this practice in the collective memory of society, and what is associated with it in terms of customs, traditions, chants, supplications, and popular games." The gathering noted cultural elements embedded in the local harvest beyond the standard production output. By focusing on these intangible elements, the organizers sought to preserve the social fabric that has historically surrounded the date production cycle in Biskra.
Promoting Local Cultural Heritage
Organizers designed the event to promote intangible cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and agricultural tourism specifically within the Ziban region. The event aimed to promote intangible cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and agricultural tourism in the Ziban region. Local officials aimed to connect contemporary visitors with the ancestral agricultural methods that define the area's identity, emphasizing that these methods are essential to the regional character.
The program featured a series of exhibitions showcasing various date varieties harvested from the surrounding palm groves. The program included exhibitions of date varieties, traditional clothing, local cuisine, and traditional crafts. Visitors also viewed displays of traditional clothing, local cuisine, and various traditional crafts representative of the area. These exhibits provided a full look at the material culture that accompanies the annual harvest cycle in Foughala, offering attendees a tangible connection to the items used by previous generations in their daily lives and agricultural work.
Members of the 'Fursan Laghrous' association conducted equestrian and fantasia shows as part of the public demonstrations. The 'Fursan Laghrous' association performed equestrian and fantasia shows during the event. The performances served as a centerpiece for the day's activities, drawing crowds to witness the traditional horsemanship skills maintained by the group. These displays of equestrian tradition remained a focal point of the event schedule, illustrating the connection between local history and the festival's emphasis on regional customs. By integrating these physical demonstrations with the static exhibits, the festival organizers provided a holistic experience that bridged the gap between historical agricultural practices and the modern preservation of regional identity.
