The situation of political oppression and the denial that the pouvoir in Algeria has exerted on the Amazigh population gave birth, in 1980, to a movement of revendication that affected the entire country. For several months, protests, meetings, and strikes against the repressive policy of the regime and in favor of the official recognition of the Amazigh culture and language occurred in Kabylia (a primarily Amazigh zone of Algeria).

The detonation of the vindications was the prohibition of a conference on ancient Kabyle poetry, which was going to be offered at the University of Tizi-Ouzou by the writer, Mouloud Mammeri.

The great repercussion felt throughout Tamazgha from this popular movement of April 1980--Tafsut Imazighen (Amazigh Spring) has been a manifestation of sentiment and a consciousness of ethnic unity that had never before existed.

This sentiment was also felt in the Canary Islands, manifesting itself in the publication of articles and books, realizing courses in Tamazight, and awakening a great interest in safeguarding the archaelogical and cultural patrimony of the Canary Islands.

Thus, today, feeling ourselves to be participants due to our common origins, and having solidarity with the revendication movement for the defense of the Tamazight culture, we celebrate this cultural day.

PROGRAM
16-20 April 2002

The following will be celebrated at

the Municipal Theater and Municipal Center of the Women of Aguimes (Gran Canaria)
April 16 to 20

Realized by the collaboration of the Concejalía de Cultura del Ayuntamiento de Aguimes and the Moroccan airlines, "Royal Air Maroc."

16 April, Tuesday - 20 April, Saturday. Inauguration 7:00 p.m.

• Exhibition of traditional ceramics of La Atalaya, Satautey (Gran Canaria)
  Locero Center La Atalaya. La Loza "Alud" Association.
• Debate-Colloquium "The Canary ceramics, a comparative study with North Africa" 8:30 p.m.
  Slide projections. María de los Angeles del Toro.

18 April, Thursday 8:30 p.m.

• Debate-Colloquium "Tamazight Culture."
  Luis Falcón Rivero
  Manuel Suárez Rosales

19 April, Friday 8:30 p.m.

• Video projection: "La Colline Oublieé" (The forgotten hill)
  A movie in the original Tamazight version, subtitled in French.

20 April, Saturday 9:00 p.m.

• Festival of Amazigh music
  - Almogaren
  - Moroccan musical group
• Exhibition of Lucha del Garrote and Salto del Pastor. Jurria "Jaira" of Aguimes.
• Presentation of awards for the competition in literature and research of the Amazigh culture called by AZAR.

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