Algiers Opera House helps diversify cultural life

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China and Algeria established full diplomatic ties in 1958. In 2014, the two countries upgraded their relations into a comprehensive strategic partnership.

As a symbol of friendship between the two countries, the Chinese government donated 40 million US dollars to build an opera house in Algiers, capital of Algeria. In 2016, the Algiers Opera House opened its doors.

Algerian ballet students perform at the Algiers Opera House on June 23, 2018. /CGTN Photo

Madame Namous Senouci Fatima Zohra was a professional ballerina with the Algerian National Ballet. She received training at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia, one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet schools in the world.

Her focus has been on creating a universal, classical ballet and the odds are on the youngsters she teaches. Her first pupils, which she started training at age 5, are now around 25 years old.

The interior design of the Algiers Opera House embraces Algerian traditional elements. /Photo courtesy of BUCG

Algiers Opera House covers an area of 18,000 square meters. It’s the first of its kind in Algeria’s modern history. Its builder, Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG), spent over two years completing the project.

More than 90 percent of its building materials were transported from China by sea. Its design takes on Algeria’s traditional patterns and details, with sculpted white marble columns and crystal chandeliers in the foyer.

Mr. Saoudi Noureddine is the general director. In his own words, the gift from China is an architectural, technical and artistic masterpiece, which allows them to organize all works of art in a technical and professional way.

Algiers Opera House is equipped with cutting-edge theater and stage technologies and can seat nearly 1,400 people at the same time. /Photo courtesy of BUCG

He told CGTN that the opera house is an exceptional destination for the whole community to enjoy a quality pastime. In 2017, there were between 140 to 150 performances, about three events per week, and the number is expected to climb up this year.

2018 marks 60 years of diplomatic ties between China and Algeria. A number of cultural exchange events will take place at this opera house, which marks an enhanced friendship and heralds a new phase of cooperation.