Following the official recognition of the Amazigh New Year as a National Day in Algeria, the Consulate General of Algeria in New York commemorated “Yennayer 2969”, at its Headquarters, on January 11, 2019.
In her welcoming speech, the Consul General, Mrs. Sabria Boukadoum, hailed the formalization of Yennayer as a national holiday by H.E.M. the President of the Republic, Abdelaziz Bouteflika. She put forward the significance of celebrating such an occasion, which is a benchmark of our shared history, culture and values where all of Algeria gets to grapple with its multiple cultural dimensions.
The Consulate General drew up a well-rounded program showcasing the beauty and diversity of the Amazigh cultural heritage. It made room to a broad exhibition of books, art crafts and paintings, as well as a short film about the heroine of Djurdjura “Lalla Fatma N’soumer”. The Algerian and American public, young and adults who joined us, shared a warm and convivial time to the rhythm of Amazigh music, whilst enjoying a wide variety of Algerian traditional dishes specially-made for this celebration. A Henna ceremony was entertained by Algerian mothers and grandmothers for the greater enjoyment of kids, who cheerfully partook in the authentic tradition of “Trez”.
We would like to pay a special tribute to everyone who was kind enough as to graciously contribute to the success of this coming together. Sincerest gratitude goes to the Hight Commission for Amazighité (HCA) for the valuable support they generously extended to the Consulate General in its endeavor to commemorate Yennayer.
We convey our best wishes and warmhearted congratulations, once more, to all members of the Algerian community in the United States and to all Algerians worldwide.