Dzfest 2022 - The full Programme

ELLE-DJAZAIR is an all-female exhibition exploring contemporary Algerian identity representation. 

As reflected through different mediums, photography, digital art & performance.

Bringing together the work of renowned, established artists & debut exhibitions.

Curated by Toufik DOUIB of Algerianism.

 An Algeria-based artist & calligrapher, Redha KHOUANE learnt the love of letters from an early age in the Mediterranean town of Cherchel where he grew up. 

Linking the ancestral to the contemporary, he produces graphic illustrations using Arabic letters, making for spectacular results.

 Explore and rediscover Algeria through the Bazaar with various local artists and artisans showcasing their art and produce, henna and workshops.

Kids’ fun day with singing and percussion workshops, painting stations and a wonderful performance of an Algerian old folk tale presented by Khayaal Theatre Company.

 To open the festival, DzFest will host its first edition of DzTalk with special guest speaker Tony Kitous, founder of Comptoir Libanais. Coffee & Paper will then lead on a roundtable discussion around the theme of identity, featuring special guests.

A selection of Algerian short films, documentaries and features.

Curated by Tahya Cinema

 Chabchaq Marikane [27 mins]

 Bnett El Djablia [40 mins]

 Nnuba (Nnuva) [47 mins]

 Halim Arraad [90 mins]

 Sid Ahmed EL BAHI performing some authentic Algerian Chaabi Music.

UK based Algerian chaabi musician & singer, SIDO has A beautiful repertoire of chaabi ballads and charming vocals. El ankaouia pupil & a future Chaabi star!

If you start dancing it won't be our fault!

 Esraa Warda will open the night with a dance performance to the rhythms of rai, chaoui, allaoui and more Algerian beats!

All the way from New York, Esraa is a child of the Algerian diaspora. She is a cultural warrior and advocates for the representation and preservation of North African women-led dance traditions. A show to behold!

 A rising star of underground British hip-hop, Jaz Kahina is London’s homegrown talent.

The combination of her original visual style, original content and fast-paced witty flows have turned heads and received critical acclaim from MTV UK, Radio 1Xtra, and Romesh Ranganathan’s Hip Hop Saved My Life podcast.

 Headlining the Festival is The Voice star Samira Brahmia and her world-famous band.

Samira has since galvanised a huge audience on both sides of the Mediterranean and has become a huge star in the Maghreb music scene, frequenting various Parisian editions of Folles Nuits Berbères, Barbès Café, and Cabaret Tam Tam at the Cabaret Sauvage. She will rock East London with her incredible blend of East meets West sound and her strong yet mesmerising vocals. She comes to us with her latest album AWA..

Join us for an evening of literature at P21 Gallery, to explore Algerian literature with a roundtable, readings and Q&As with select and newly published Algerian authors from the diaspora. 

To discuss the themes of their books and distinguishing elements between each of their stories.

 Mina NAMOUS with Amour, Extérieur Nuit

 Nabil BELHADJ & Hadi MAHIHENNI with Allo Blah Blah' Jobs

 Adib BENAZI with Marée Basse

To bring this festival to a close, A candlelit social gathering with unplugged music  performed by a small line-up of Algerian artists. Followed by a showcase of Algerian fashion and the multiple ancestral traditions of Vast Algeria. all to the tunes of DJ AFROKAZBAH. 

PS: Dress to impress in your traditionals.