ALGIERS- A delegation of French local elected officials from the commune of Vénissieux (Lyon) paid a visit to the Casbah of Algiers on Thursday, criss-crossing its main places steeped in history and memory of the War of Liberation.

Accompanied by a guide and representatives of the National Organization of Mujahideen of the wilaya of Algiers, the delegation, made up of up to fifteen elected representatives of the Republican Communist Group of the commune of Vénissieux and the French Communist Party ( PCF) began its visit by the Citadel of Algiers (Dar Essoltane).

On the spot, the delegation attended a historical presentation on this 16th century Ottoman building, a historical monument classified with the Kasbah of Algiers as World Heritage in 1992 by Unesco, like the palace of the dey and that of the beys.

The delegation then headed towards the Casbah of Algiers, walking through its main alley and making stops at places that are repositories of stories and memories.

On the spot, mujahideen, among those who lived through the National Liberation War, like Tahar El Hocine, Ahmed Bouslimane and Dahmani Mokdad, shared with the guests of the Casbah, their “memories” linked to the liberating fight and whose theater is the old medina of Algiers.

The delegation then stopped at “Bir Djebbah”, a place of remembrance where the mujahideen were executed, before ending their stop in the cache of Ali la pointe, named Amar Ali, who fell on the field of honor on October 8, 1957 in an explosion with Hassiba Ben Bouali, Yacef Omar and Bouhmidi Mahmoud.

This high place of memory of the “Battle of Algiers”, plasticized by the colonial army and reconstituted by independent Algeria to transform it into a museum, was an important stopover during this visit which enabled the delegation to learn about the massacres of the French occupying army.

French and Algerian nationals were part of this delegation, alongside Bernard Deschamps, politician and PCF activist.

The delegation of French local elected officials from the commune of Vénissieux continues its five-day cultural visit to Algeria during which its members will visit several historical and cultural sites, such as; the Serkadji Prison, the Museum of Fine Arts and that of Bardo.

This visit coincides with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the recovery of national sovereignty, and is an opportunity to pay tribute to the friends of Algeria who supported the War of National Liberation.

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