Algeria Between History and Memory : Men, Events, and Places – A Critical Dictionary of the Past and Its Representations « DICRAH »

The core of this project is the development of a dictionary comprising key indicators regarding national history. These entries will cover individuals, human groups and communities, intellectual currents, social, political, and cultural institutions, dynasties, places, and events, spanning from Antiquity to the present day. It is often difficult to isolate the Central Maghreb (present-day Algeria) from the broader movements that shaped North Africa and the Mediterranean in their interactions with neighboring regions. Therefore, we aim to make judicious selections while considering existing sources. This dictionary does not intend to replace specialized historical works; rather, it focuses on recurring themes in contemporary Algerian memory and identity-related inquiries. Our goal is to provide the educated public with a precise, user-friendly tool to better navigate a past that may enchant or haunt them, but never leaves them indifferent.

Objectives:

- To provide a synthetic and scientific overview of the state of knowledge regarding the figures, events, dates, and societal segments that have marked the history of Algeria.

- To provide the general public with a wealth of knowledge, acting as a mediator between academic historiography and representations rooted in collective memory and imagination.

- To make this knowledge available to readers initially in French, with potential versions in Arabic and Tamazight to ensure a broad dissemination of academic references within Algerian society.

- To provide teachers and students with references to enrich history courses and other related disciplines.

Actions Taken / Planned:

- Development of a dictionary targeting specific historical knowledge.

- Careful consideration of the spelling and transcription of names, which are often written in multiple ways, to ensure consistency between the French and Arabic versions.

Expected Results / Perspectives:

- The dictionary will serve as an excellent medium for disseminating our history—a practical tool for knowledge, research, publishing, and national cohesion.

- Designed from an academic perspective, it will fill gaps in previous works and open new horizons for future projects.