Djanet Hosts the 1st International Rock Art Festival
Djanet Hosts Algeria’s First International Rock Art Festival From October 19 to 24, 2026, the province of Djanet is hosting the inaugural International Rock Art Festival, a cultural, scientific, and artistic event dedicated to the study, preservation, and promotion of Algeria’s rock art heritage.
An Event Dedicated to Rock Art Heritage
Through this inaugural edition, the festival aims to showcase the richness and diversity of rock art in Algeria. It also seeks to encourage exchanges between cultural and scientific stakeholders on methods to better study, document, and preserve these traces of the past.
The event also aims to raise awareness of rock art heritage among the general public and the scientific community, while highlighting its historical and cultural significance.
Why Djanet?
Djanet was chosen in part because of its proximity to Tassili n’Ajjer, one of the world’s most remarkable rock art sites. This Saharan region is home to thousands of paintings and engravings that bear witness to human presence and the evolution of ways of life over thousands of years.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982, Tassili n’Ajjer is a major site for archaeological research and the study of ancient societies. Its rock art offers valuable insights into the landscapes, wildlife, and human activities that have shaped the history of this Saharan region.
A National Heritage to Preserve and Promote
Beyond Tassili n’Ajjer, the festival aims to highlight the diversity of rock art sites found across Algeria, particularly within cultural parks and steppe regions.
Through this initiative, the Ministry of Culture and Arts seeks to strengthen efforts in research, documentation, protection, and promotion of these remains. These traces of the past provide valuable evidence of human history and represent a cultural heritage whose preservation is essential for future generations.
By hosting this international event, Djanet is becoming a focal point for exchanges on the study and preservation of rock art—a heritage that reflects Algeria’s rich history and culture.
