Algeria celebrates independence

Nagat Taibouny praised 'martyrs' Algiers – Faisal Al Shaibany The Algerian National Theatre in Annaba launched the National Theatre Festival on Friday, with a performance of Al Jamilat (the beautiful). Those in attendance included the Minister of Culture Khalida Toumi and many famous actors. Al Jamilat takes place in Sarkaji prison in late 1961, where five characters sharing a cell, reminisce on life before imprisonment. The author of the play Nagat Taibouny said that the production was made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Algerian independence. Taibouny dedicated Al Jamilat to every “Algerian women who was tortured, killed or imprisoned,” under the French colonial rule. ”The colonisers didn’t differentiate between men and women when they were sentenced," the writer said. The festival will continue until June 2. Many of the productions will focus on celebrating Algerian independence.