Algerian calligraphy celebrated in Ouargla as symbol of cultural resilience

Exhibition highlights heritage of Quranic script and pays tribute to master calligrapher Mohamed Seffati El Jazairi

OUARGLA, Algeria (MNTV) – A major cultural event celebrating Algeria’s calligraphic heritage opened in Ouargla as part of Heritage Month, centered on the Maghrebi script Khat Al-Mabsut, historically used in Quranic transcription and religious education across the Maghreb and Andalusia.

The exhibition, hailed as a gesture of resilience and a reaffirmation of Algerian identity, highlighted the symbolic importance of Quranic calligraphy. 

It featured rare manuscripts, virtual reality displays, and a tribute to Sheikh Mohamed Seffati El Jazairi, the first Algerian to write and print the Quran in the Maghrebi style in 1905.

The event brought together prominent cultural institutions including the National Public Museum of Islamic Calligraphy of Tlemcen, the School and District of Precious Islamic Arts and Crafts of Laghouat, the Al Qassimiya Heritage Association of Ouargla, and calligraphers from across Algeria, including Oran, Tlemcen, Ghardaïa, Touggourt, and Ouargla.

Participants also explored the historical spread of Algeria’s calligraphic style across North and West Africa, evolving into the distinct “Khat Tamboucti” variant. 

The artistic legacy was further emphasized through scientific talks, interactive workshops, and immersive technologies like VR and holography, offering modern insight into a centuries-old art.

The festival continues through April 30 with a program of exhibitions and expert-led activities highlighting the beauty, technique, and cultural depth of Maghrebi calligraphy.