Colors of Algiers - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Algeria is one of the largest and most surprising countries in the African continent. Here you can see wonderful examples of historical heritage - Phoenician and Roman ruins, the sights of the Ottoman Empire and beautiful examples of Arab art and culture. On the other hand, there are many examples of modern state and industrial style of life here. But, first of all, Algeria is a variety of mountain and desert landscapes, the greenery of jasmine thickets, orange and olive groves, as well as white houses, fabulous beaches of the sea coast and the Sahara desert, which occupies more than 90% of the country. Algeria is often called the country of 1001 nations. This is a true observation, as far as the Arabs, the Berbers, the French, as well as the Spaniards, Maltese, Italians, Jews, and descendants of the Turks, Egyptians, Greeks, Syrians live here. For this reason, discrimination against foreigners in the country is simply absent.

Algerians are a very kind and generous people; hospitality, mutual assistance and care in their blood. Representatives of this nation, like the other Arab peoples, tend to take someone else's heart to heart and make every effort to help both acquaintances and strangers who are in trouble. Due to the kindness and openness of local people, they easily make friends even with strangers. Algerians, like other Arab nations, are characterized by entrepreneurialism and the ability to earn money. Algerian merchants can advertise own products in such a way that foreign buyers will be willing to pay a triple price for it; Algerians also work on hired labor trying to find an additional source of income. And the fact that Algerian citizens know how to earn money is evidenced not only by the example of private local entrepreneurs, but also by the entire economy of Algeria - thanks to the sale of oil and gas in this country, the cost of food and gasoline for the population is very low, and housing for young families - free.

An optimistic view of life is another national feature of the Algerians. Locals like to smile, seldom lose heart and always hope for the best. Perhaps the reason for the cheerfulness and optimism of the residents is in their faith. In Algeria, the attitude to children is completely different than in European countries, because in Germany, Britain and in most other EU countries it is considered that raising a child is a private matter for his parents and teachers, and outsiders should not interfere with this process. Algerians also treat children in a completely different way - they can treat an unfamiliar kid with sweets, emotionally admire other people's children, and if an unfamiliar child behaves badly on the street - kindly make him a remark. This love of Algerians for all children at first very much surprises foreigners, because in the streets of European cities it is not customary to approach other people's children, to praise them and treat them to sweets, and in Algeria, this is considered normal. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In this North African country of Algeria, the New Year is not celebrated in a classical way: here, as in any other Muslim country, locals celebrate the first lunar month (in the eastern Muslim countries they use the lunar calendar). The Muslim New Year comes on November 4, and even this is not a social occasion, but a religious holiday. It is worth remembering that the celebration of any non-Muslim holiday is forbidden by the Koran. So if you go to celebrate New Year in Algeria, then you will be disappointed - this holiday is absolutely uninteresting for local residents. On July 5 in the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria people celebrate a national holiday - Independence Day. On that day in 1962, Algeria gained independence from France.