In a noble cultural step that reflects a deep awareness of the importance of preserving the national heritage, fine arts researcher Khadir Ben Chikou, a native of the city of Constantine and a resident of the diaspora for years, donated a valuable collection of artwork by the artist Nasreddine Diné to Algeria, along with artistic paintings documenting the city of Constantine by major artists.
The city of Constantine, and especially the Cirta Museum, benefited from nine artistic paintings of high value, while part of these works were directed to the Nasreddine Diné Museum in Bou Saada. This initiative falls within an effort aimed at preserving and reviving the national artistic memory, while contributing to returning the spirit of Bou Saada and Constantine to their original homeland, by retrieving works of art of high historical and aesthetic value.
The artist Khadir Ben Chikou is known for his constant presence in international salons selling paintings, as he acquires these works with his own money, driven by his passion for art and his belief in the importance of recovering the Algerian cultural heritage on the one hand, and as an expert familiar with the works of Nasreddine Dineh on the other hand, as he not only preserved these paintings, but rather transferred the artistic memory and these works that reflect Dineh’s fusion with Algeria, which is an integral part of the national identity.
This donation to the works of Nasreddine Diné allows us to learn more about this French artist, who was emotionally and spiritually connected to Algeria and the environment in which he lived within its natural context, especially in the city of Bou Saada, which was a major source of inspiration for him. This initiative remains an example to be emulated in responsible cultural work, and a message of protection and promotion of national heritage.
