ALGIERS, Algeria (RNS) — Each weekend of Ramadan, in a former art gallery just minutes from the Grande Poste d’Alger in downtown Algiers, a group of around 10 young Algerians hosts a post-Iftar jam session led by young local artists.
The gallery, called El Medrab, or “the spot” in the colloquial Algerian Arabic, was created in what the organizers call the “sharing spirit of Ramadan.” It started as a not-for-profit way for young Algerian artists to show their musical talent to the youth of Algiers and meet other musicians. One of the organizers, 23-year-old Wassim Aithadi, said music has always played a role in gatherings in Algeria during Ramadan.
“Ramadan was a very good time to launch El Medrab because this is the time of reflection and cultural expression,” Aithadi told RNS.
“By night, Algiers is busy and open. Everyone is out,” added Aithadi. “So we decided for the month of Ramadan, all our events would be free, to everyone, and we would offer tea in a warm interaction between the artists and the audience.”
Arches on Boulevard Zighout Youcef, Algiers, Algeria. (Photo courtesy Aimen Aimeur)
The gallery is tucked away under the iconic arches on Boulevard Zighout Youcef, the main street running the length of the waterfront. The gallery is unassuming from afar, but passersby walking down the boulevard after breaking their fast might be drawn in by the music drifting from the space out into the city.
Inside the gallery — which fits up to 60 people — the young artists honor their culture by playing traditional Chaabi music from the capital city, Chaoui music from southern Algeria, Raï music from northwestern Algeria and Kabyle music of the Berber people of Algeria. They also experiment with American songs like “The Gambler” and “Hit the Road Jack,” plus other European and Latin-style songs.
“Young talented artists in Algeria lack spaces to perform,” Aithadi said. “Here in Algeria, you have a big gap between well-known artists and very young beginner artists. El Medrab fills that gap and helps show our rich Algerian heritage and culture, but also that our artists are connected to international music.”
Aithadi said the goal is for El Medrab to be a “barrier breaker,” offering a space for young Algerian artists to share their talent and connect with each other.
Another of the organizers, 23-year-old Akram Ghanemi, said art and religion are both very important to Algerian youth. And having a place like El Medrab, where the two can be merged, is important to the youth of Algeria. He said this is especially important after the COVID-19 pandemic because many young artists have found themselves lacking venues after some were shuttered.
“We wanted to help give them a spot where they can reunite, play together and perform together in public,” Ghanemi said. “We want to give this message to the youth that art is for all of us. And art is something we all share.”
Two young musicians play a duet onstage at El Medrab gallery in Algiers, Algeria, during Ramadan, March 14, 2025. (Photo courtesy Akram Ghanemi)
Aithadi and Ghanemi are two of a team of five 20-somethings who started the gallery, including Aimen Aimeur, Melissa El Gaoubi and Zak Benmosly.
Aimeur, who started El Medrab, said his vision for it was to be a youth-led place where all people can appreciate their embrace of Algerian culture and art, despite sometimes limited opportunities for young artists.
“With little means, you can make a big impact,” Aimeur said.
In a final celebration of both the opening of the gallery and the end of the holy month, El Medrab held closing night March 28 — the last Friday of Ramadan — to reunite the artists and celebrate the past month.
After Eid, the group plans to look for sponsorships or charge attendees to hopefully expand to other youth-run venues in Algiers and eventually all around the country.
This article was produced as part of the RNS/Interfaith America Religion Journalism Fellowship.