The International Festival of Contemporary Art (IFCA) Returns
After several years of silence, the International Festival of Contemporary Art (IFCA) has risen once again for its 8th edition, organised under the ambitious slogan “For a New Legacy.”
Until 7 December, Algiers becomes a crossroads of artistic diversity, welcoming 70 artists from 39 countries across five continents. The exhibition brings together 145 works representing a wide range of artistic movements, reflecting a genuine dialogue of cultures and aesthetics.
A Ceremony of Recognition
This edition was marked by a ceremony during which several Algerian and international artists received honorary distinctions from the Minister of Culture and Arts, Zouhir Ballalou, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to contemporary art.
Artists such as Adnane Abderrahmane Ahmed (Bahrain), Alaeddine Mohamed (Iraq), Katarina Balunova (Slovakia) and Joan Marie Kelly (Ireland) were honoured alongside Algerian artists including Zohra Sellal Hachid, Amar Briki, Mehdi Hachid, Amina Zoubir, Salim Le Kouaghet, and Zoulikha Bouabdellah.
These distinctions highlight the festival’s commitment to celebrating both local and international talent.
For the Minister, the gathering represents far more than a cultural event:
“It is essential to encourage artists and professionals — whether based in Algeria or abroad — to contribute to a cultural renaissance and to the emergence of a dynamic art market.”
Reactivated by artist and curator Hamza Bounoua, IFCA positions itself as a unique platform for exchange.
Yasmine Azzi-Kohlhepp, founder and director of AYN Gallery in Paris, summarised the impact of the event:
“The International Festival of Contemporary Art, reactivated by Hamza Bounoua, has provided a unique platform enabling the diaspora and local artists to meet, exchange ideas and collaborate. The event strengthened connections between visual artists and art professionals while contributing to the cultural and artistic dynamism of Algeria.”
Building Bridges Between the Diaspora and the Local Scene
Her personal commitment extends beyond the festival. Preparing to open a new branch of her gallery in Oran, she explains:
“As founder of AYN Gallery in Paris and soon in Oran, I am committed to actively supporting this initiative by contributing to the emergence of new talent and encouraging meaningful exchanges between the diaspora and the local art scene.”
IFCA is not merely a showcase for contemporary art; it also positions itself as a catalyst for structuring the Algerian art market.
“The Minister of Culture and Arts emphasised the importance of engagement from artists and professionals — both in Algeria and abroad — in supporting cultural renewal and the creation of a thriving art market. He highlighted the need to foster exchanges and provide opportunities for young talents, underlining the importance of the internationalisation of Algerian art,” adds Yasmine Azzi-Kohlhepp.
The director of AYN Gallery concludes by stressing the significance of such initiatives for the future:
“Encounters like these open new perspectives, and it is crucial to continue supporting such initiatives in order to promote Algerian art internationally.”
Through this collective commitment, the 8th edition of IFCA marks an important turning point for the Algerian art scene, affirming its ambition to build a lasting cultural legacy and to create bridges between artists from around the world.