Algeria : Maghreb countries to make a joint application including Couscous on the World Heritage List

Experts from the Maghreb region will soon gather to discuss an application Algeria is planning to make to the UNESCO, including Couscous, a traditional dish, in the World Heritage List, according to the Algerian news agency (APS) quoting the director of the Anthropological, Prehistoric and Ethnographic Research center (CRAPE) Sliman Hachi. «Recognizing Couscous as a world heritage is a joint project conducted by the Maghreb countries», said the official in an article published Tuesday, 23rd of January, adding that a meeting attended by a number of experts representing these nations would be held soon.

This potential «classification» is an «acknowledgment and a tool of strengthening the long-lasting ties linking the people in the region who have a shared tradition and culinary heritage, such as Couscous», added Ouisa galizi, a researcher from the same center.

The same researcher stressed that the «couscous dish is a means of solidarity» for the inhabitants of the Maghreb region that stands as an important cultural feature away from gas and natural resources.

First Rai music and now Couscous

The intention of presenting a joint application to the UNESCO regarding this dish reminds us of a debate that took place in 2016, making headlines all over Algeria and Morocco. In August 2016, the neighbouring country made an application to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage list to include Rai music as a uniquely «Algerian Folk music».

The decision has indeed sparked tension at the moment, especially after the Algerian Minister of Culture stated that Algeria’s application came after some countries, referring to Morocco, were trying to do the same, claiming Rai music.

On the other hand, Morocco which organizes every year the International Festival of Rai music in Oujda, bordering the neighboring country, announced that it was going to apply to UNESCO for the same the year before but never did.