Algeria Archives - Mahdi Aridj Photography

18th March 2017/by Mahdi Aridj

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In the streets of Algiers

Mahdi Aridj — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 16:33:00 +0000

In the streets of Algiers

Algiers

In the streets of Algiers

I’ve been posting some pictures of the streets of Algiers few months ago, showing the beauty of Alger la blanche. Beauty is always a question of point of view. Here in this serie you can see the algerian capital from a different angle or under another light.

This duality is really interesting because it says a lot about Algeria. There’s always two levels of reading. Algeria is big country full of contrastes, layers and levels of life,

As I’ve said it, I grew up there and now I live in Europe, when people asks me about Algeria I always answer Algeria can be eveything and it’s opposite. It’s not just grey, It’s dark and light and all the shades that you can have from it.

You may say those pictures are not showing Algeria under her best light, that I made it more dramatic under this high contrastes and grainny pictures but I would say Algeria is Algeria.

Contrastes & layers

Contrastes & layers | El-Aurassi, Algiers 2017

Contrastes & layers

As you can see it on this picture, a man is cleaning the swimming pool of the luxurious hotel “El-Aurassi” in Algiers and just above the working- class neighbourhood. This kind of locations are like an oasis in middle of the desert. The standard price for one night in this hotel is at least a 3 months work salary.

Old buildings of Algiers

Old woman from her balcony | Cadix, Algiers 2017

Aero-Habitat Algiers

Algiers train station

Algiers from the hotel “El-Aurassi”

Buildings of Algiers, Satelite receivers, electric cables …

The great mosque of Algiers

Womand dressed in black carrying bags – Algiers

Ketchaoua mosque – Algiers

SONLEGAZ | Elctricity & Gaz national company- Algiers

A man waiting for a bus or … – Algiers

A man waiting for … – Algiers

A man with his groceries – Algiers

Racing with the bus – Algiers

Algiers heights

Birds flying over a bridge – Algiers

A trip to the commune of Azeffoun

Mahdi Aridj — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 14:00:04 +0000

A trip to Azeffoun

A series of pictures that I took on the road during a trip to Azeffoun in March 2017. I’ve decided to work exclusively in black and white because I find that they are more talkative, more expressive and reflecting a certain rawness.

Azeffoun is the village where I spend all my childhood holidays. Younger I’ve spent a lot of time there, the winter around a fire, the spring to hike, the summer to swim and the autumn just to get inspired … This time, It was on a beautiful winter day accompanied by my parents that I was visiting the beautiful Azeffoun. After my long journey to Germany, to find my marks after a long trip for a photography project.

Commune of Azeffoun

A trip to Azeffoun

Kabyle woman on the road to Azeffoun

The man with the trench coat

Bus stop

Women walking on the road side

Child brining source water in a jerry can

El vaaz Ivahriyen

West coast of Azeffoun’s bay

Azeffoun town

Cheurfa Oufella

The paternal

Water tower Thadarth ouzeffoun

Sheperd and his sheep grazing

A donkey – Azeffoun

Man walking along the Azeffoun road

A man and his wheelbarrow on the road to Azeffoun

A kabyle woman

Tractor in the village of Azeffoun

Child playing alone

Young man contemplating the landscape of Azeffoun

Village of Bezerka from the old Azeffoun

Village of Azeffoun

A trip to Azeffoun

This road that we took the W158, was few years ago impossible to take for security reasons. The road passing through Tifrit Aït El Hadj to Azeffoun passing through Akerrou, El Kalaa, Tidmimine as well as Tifezouine offers a breathtaking view of the Tamgut forest Aït Jennad and further on the bay of Azeffoun with its beaches such as Caroubier Or Mlata on the side of Ait Arhouna (Tardieu) famous in the region for its table grapes.

As I promise to myself each time, one day I would spend more time in the area to do a photo report with more portraits.

To a future publication!

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Port of Azeffoun

Mahdi Aridj — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 16:04:15 +0000

Port of Azeffoun

The port of Azeffoun is a compulsory stop for me when I go to the area. I have seen the port of Azeffoun transformed over the years. When I was younger, I learned to fish in deep water, to make big dives … Then work began in the late 1980s to enlarge the port of Azeffoun, they lasted more Of a decade so that the transformation ends to offer the city of Azeffoun and its fishermen the infrastructure that will enable them to develop the fishing and tourism activities.

The fishing port is the first infrastructure to be established there after the settlement of the first settlers. The mixed commune of Port-Gueydon was one of the largest in Kabylia in the days of the French administration. Dozens of villages occupied its geographical area bounded on the south-east by Ighil Tafraout Jehma and Zekri and on the south-west by the villages of Abizar and Timizart N’sidi Mansour. It serves as a junction between the two Kabylies: Bejaïa is only 83 kilometers from the eastern limit of the daïra of Azeffoun.

The blue flag award for the port of Azeffoun

As mentioned by “Taous C” in “La dépêche de Kabylie” The Blue Flag 2016 was awarded to the port of Azeffoun, located in the coastal town of the same name, 70 km northeast of Tizi-Ouzou (Algeria), which won by the same The first place in the ranking of ports in the center of the country. “The 2016 blue flag will float a year over the port of Azeffoun”

This eco-label is awarded at the end of a competition for the evaluation of national port infrastructures in terms of organization, hygiene and management, launched by the ministry that it represents, A press conference was hosted at the headquarters of its management.

If you go by the region don’t forget to visit the harbor and eat some sardines, it’s the best of the area !

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Kasbah of Algiers – photography of the citadel

Mahdi Aridj — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 19:00:33 +0000

The Kasbah of Algiers

Over the bay of Algiers

Panoramic view of the bay of Algiers from the heights of the Kasbah

On a sunny day with my friend Mestiich we went to the Kasbah of Algiers to take some pictures. Accompanied by other friends Walid, Nabil … We started at the square port said next to the National Theater of Algiers where we took a cab direction Bab Edjdid the south gate of the Kasbah of Algiers. We met people from the Kasbah who gave us a really warm welcome. Like this young rapper, son of the Kasbah, who told us that if we need anything we can come back to him or tell people that he sent us. After having eaten a sandwich “Garantita” (Calentita) and drank a fresh “Gazouz“. We went to the workshop of Khaled Mahiout, famous carpenter (ébéniste) of Algiers, world known for his work and his way of welcoming. Mestiich asked him if we could get to the terrace, Khaled nodded with a friendly smile.

View over the bay of Algiers Bab Edjdid – The Kasbah of Algiers

The Kasbah of Algiers

I entered the patio and I was dazzled by the light coming from the “squifa” (Sas) The time was suspended for a while, remembering childhood memories of when I was going to visit my aunt in Tangier street in the lower Kasbah … it goes back more than twenty years. Once the nostalgia moment passed, I took the wooden stairs which brought me to the terrace “Stah”. A breathtaking view! The bay of Algiers offered itself to me. Beneath a blue sky dotted with white clouds, the sea breeze cut me off. Coming from the sea, drawing an itinerary. Passing through the narrow streets of the kasbah impregnated with whispers and stories. Caressing the walls, changing their trajectory. Strolling, charged with the smells and scents of the old Algiers, the sea breeze rising nose made me feel light and free

Houbel, Botanical garden, Algiers Harbor …

Picture from the Kasbah of Algiers

The bay of Algiers

As I recovered my senses, I took my camera to immortalize the bay of Algiers. She was there just under my look, like an open mouth, smiling, going from La Pérouse to the Admiralty from east to west. El Bahdja is set in a mixture of ancient and modern architectural style. The Jemma Al Djazair stands far to the east while Houbel watches over Algiers the white from the heights of El Madania. The Kasbah, a symbol of the Algerian culture, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site for two decades. The roofs of this Medina are dotted with antennas and parabolic heads for reception of foreign oriental or western channels, offering an alternative to local TV programs. These antennas meant for me younger, an opening towards the foreign world. Today, I see them as the symbol of a society that turns its head to see elsewhere, to mind the mind with other things. Planted there on the terraces like sails taking the wind coming from the east or sometimes from the west influencing a society that seeks itself.

A sunset in the Kasbah of Algiers

From the terrace where I was, I noticed the streets and the close constructions testifying to the high density of the dwellings. The descending terraces on the hill built like a staircase descending towards the sea, offering a view to all those who live there. From our location in height, we unloaded our camera batteries and loaded our minds with images and good moments, photos of the Kasbah of Algiers and its bay below. Until we got caught up by the night.

Khaled Mahiout in his workshop

We went downstairs to friend Khaled, who almost locked us up because we did not see the time pass. We spent a few minutes with this world-renowned carpenter, we talked about his work and also his “Association of Friends of the Kasbah – Save the Kasbah of Algiers”. I took the opportunity to sign his guestbook, filled with signatures of famous personalities. Khaled watches over the Kasbah of Algiers as well as his craft as an ébéniste and promises to train future generations.

We left in the dark with memories illuminating our eyes. The Kasbah of Algiers offered herself to us on this unforgettable day.

More Algeria photography

Azeffoun

Houbel – Martyrs’ Memorial – Algiers

Kasbah of Algiers – photography of the citadel

20th March 2017/by Mahdi Aridj

Pictures of Algiers – Photography in Algeria

17th March 2017/by Mahdi Aridj

Attatba wholesale market

19th March 2020/by Mahdi Aridj

Order prints of Algeria by Mahdi Aridj Photography

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Houbel – Martyrs’ Memorial – Algiers

Mahdi Aridj — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 19:08:13 +0000

Houbel

Martyrs’ Memorial – Algiers

Houbel

During my stay in Algiers, I went to the martyr’s memorial (Houbel) to take some pictures. Located on the heights of Algiers in the town of El Madania (formerly Salembier). From its 92 meters height of concrete, Maqam E’chahid was inaugurated in 1982 for the 20th anniversary of the independence of Algeria. Imagined by Bachir Yellès, Houbel represents three revolutions: “Cultural, agrarian and industrial” another reading says that the monument symbolizes three periods of the Algerian history: “Resistance to occupation and colonization, War of national liberation, the present and the future of the country. ” These three palm leaves of which Houbel consists are located above the bay of Algiers.

Riadh El Feth

To the north and below Houbel, there’s the Botanical Garden Hamma where Tarzan (1932) was shot. In the West and then in the East respectively the bois des arcades and the projects of Diar El Mahçoul, built by the architect Fernand Pouillon known in Algeria for Aerohabitat and other constructions. Then to the south of Houbel is the esplanade of Riadh El Feth, a mythical shopping mall in the 80s and early 90s where there are concert halls (Ibn Zeydoun), bar and dancing (The triangle) And other souvenir shops…

Salembier

Passing through Salembier I went through the city Diar El Mahçoul wanting to take pictures of the Buildings called “Cité comfort” I was intercepted by the youth of the neighborhood “wled el Houma” they wanted me to make pictures of them with a tagged message On the walls of the city “Doula el haggara” (contemptuous Government) I realized these pictures with in the background the Houbel, without realizing the conditions of life in the comfort projects, which bears very bad its name. A very high human density where the tenants of these buildings lives in very harsh conditions, “socially cruel cases” as described in the newspaper “Liberté” in 2016.

Youth of Diar el Mahçoul – Salembier Algiers

Order prints of Algeria by Mahdi Aridj Photography

23rd July 2016/by Mahdi Aridj

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Pictures of Algiers – Photography in Algeria

Mahdi Aridj — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 10:18:11 +0000

Pictures of Algiers

A getaway in the Algerian capital

Photos of Algiers on a sunny day

During my last trip to Algeria I’ve took some pictures of Algiers. I did street photography in many European cities, but in Algiers didn’t really had the chance until now. First because I moved to Europe, the distance didn’t help. But also because of certain fears. During my previous visits I’ve always stopped my self from doing it because I thought it was dangerous, that people were not open and that it was going to attract me the wrath of the authorities … The frustration and the look of Algiers made me more brave this time. I headed to the famous stairs of the street of Dr Saadane and I began a long, surprising and pleasant photographic stroll in the streets of Algiers. Armed with my faithful D700, I fixed the narrow streets of Algiers, “north Africa’s white lady” under the wide angle of my 24mm as well as some tight portraits through my 50mm.

To place Audin and surroundings

Going up the boulevard Didouche Mourad, from the tunnel of the faculties to the sacred heart (Cathédrale du Sacré-Cœur d’Alger) observing the ballets of people, mixing in a wide range of dress styles and social class. From the conservative to the modern style, from well-off to modest people, a sign of a very heterogeneous society where everyone lives together.

On the way down, I went through rue Meissonier (now rue Ferhat Boussaad) the famous shopping street teeming with people, animated by the calls of the sellers and punctuated by the horns of motorists who struggle to keep their patience while trying to make their way between pedestrians. It is Algeria, it is hot in this month of March, it is Saturday, newly second day of the weekend. Meissonier lives!

Around the Great post of Algiers

It is 1 pm, I stopped at a terrace of cafes under the central facade to blow, after having dined a few hours. I was looking at the photos of Algiers that I took and I leave in my thoughts, my memories of Algiers, more than ten years ago, when I was studying there. I discovered the capital of my country, alone far from home, I tasted to the anonymity that only a metropolis can offer you. Caught up by the noise of the cars I caught myself contemplating the facades of the Haussmann buildings of Algiers Center, questioning me about its tenants before and after the colonization and how had to make the transition, if there were still memories or other vestiges Of another life. Algiers is full of stories!

Emir Abdelkader Square, Milk bar, Third World Bookshop …

Lower down, the large post office with its neo-Moorish architecture which was once the site of an Anglican Church. Architectural beauty, the great post office of Algiers (La grande poste d’Alger) was transformed in 2014 into a museum on the history of the post and telecommunications in Algeria. From there, in the direction of Emir Abdelkader square, which runs through the streets saturated with cars rolling under the shadow of the ficus tree, passing through the Milk bar and the famous Third World bookshop (Librairie du tiers monde). Feasting of these scenes of the Algerian life, I didn’t fail taking pictures of Algiers.

Popular districts of Algiers

Going up the perpendicular street to the former rue d’Isly, I began to sink into the popular districts of Algiers center. Pleasantly surprised by the welcome and curiosity of the “children” of the district “welad el houma” systematically asking them if it don’t bother them taking pictures of the district and why not some of them. My way to thank them but also to have their blessing. “Bien sure kho!” (Of course Bro’) “Souar bladek! Souar Alger!” (Take photos of your country, take pictures of Algiers ! ). This allowed me to discuss issues such as the history of the neighborhood and also the Algerian society.

On this day of the USMA-MCA soccer derby, the horns of the fans resounded in the narrow streets of Algiers, streets adorned sometimes with red and green flags symbol of the “Mouloudiens” sometimes of red and black flags symbol of the Usmists. This bi-annual rendezvous where the two mythical clubs of Algiers clash for 90 minutes around a ball while the enthusiastic supporters of the two camps tear each other during a game but always end up being reconciles the next day.

Walking through the streets of the Cadix and Soustara neighborhood, I followed the narrow streets and the famous staircases of Algiers until I lost myself. Later my photographer friend Mestich took me on the heights of the Casbah, towards Bab El Djedid to make pictures of Algiers and its Casbah …. But I will tell you later about it.

More Algeria photography

Street photography Algeria

Kabylia

Attatba wholesale market

19th March 2020/by Mahdi Aridj

Port of Azeffoun

23rd June 2017/by Mahdi Aridj

Azeffoun

Houbel – Martyrs’ Memorial – Algiers

18th March 2017/by Mahdi Aridj

Kasbah of Algiers – photography of the citadel

20th March 2017/by Mahdi Aridj

Pictures of Algiers – Photography in Algeria

17th March 2017/by Mahdi Aridj

In the streets of Algiers

8th August 2017/by Mahdi Aridj

Touiza | Volunteering in Kabylia

20th October 2017/by Mahdi Aridj

Order prints of Algeria by Mahdi Aridj Photography