CISAC member ONDA celebrates intellectual property as part of 3rd annual National Creativity Show in Algeria

As part of World Intellectual Property Day celebrations on 26 April, CISAC member ONDA organised a special event to promote the importance of intellectual property for creative industries prior to the opening of the 3rd annual National Creativity Show (Salon de la créativité) in Algeria. Fellow CISAC member societies BMDA and OTDAV were among some 200 attendees.

The National Creativity Show presented the work of creators to an audience including the Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, government representatives, media, CISAC and WIPO.  The show involved approximately 100 stands, featured 300 artists visiting the show as well as music and dance performances from throughout Africa. ONDA organised 58 performances, including 19 at night. An impressive event, the National Creativity Show also brought together theatre pieces, clown shows, contemporary dance, breakdancing and other outdoor performances. It drew 100,000 visitors over the course of the week.

CISAC Board Member and ONDA Director General Sami Bencheikh El Hocine highlighted the importance of copyright to the economic livelihoods of creators and creative industries. He also underlined ONDA’s cooperation with intellectual property protection agencies, government officials and customs, particularly against piracy.  Algeria’s work has led WIPO to designate the country as a centre of education for authors’ rights.

Minister of Culture Azzedine Mihoubi, a poet and writer registered with Algeria’s copyright organisation, expressed the continued support of the government particularly in light of ONDA’s continued actions supporting intellectual property in Algeria.