On the morning of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the University hosted a distinguished literary and intellectual meeting with the internationally renowned Algerian writer Yasmina KHADRA. The event was dedicated to reflecting on the role of the novel and the responsibility of the writer in the context of contemporary cultural and intellectual transformations. The meeting was attended by the University Rector, Prof. MEGHACHOU Mourad, his vice-rectors, Prof. KHERBOUCHE Abderrahmane, Dean of the Faculty of Letters and Arts, Prof. MORRO Wassila, Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages, as well as a large number of faculty members, students, and media representatives.

In the opening speeches, notably that of the Dean of the Faculty of Letters and Arts, it was emphasized that this meeting is part of the University’s strategy to promote literature as a fundamental field of knowledge, contributing to the development of students’ critical thinking.

The meeting was moderated by Dr. BENCHOUK Nadjat, lecturer in the Department of French Language, who guided the discussion toward an in-depth reflection on Yasmina KHADRA’s philosophy of novel writing, going beyond purely technical narrative approaches to explore its intellectual and human dimensions.

In his interventions, the writer emphasized that the novel represents a human testimony and a critical conscience, charged with preserving collective memory and combating forgetfulness and falsification, making literature an act of cultural engagement.

The discussions also addressed major themes, including the relationship between literature and reality, the responsibility of the writer, and questions of language and identity. Yasmina KHADRA clarified that his choice to write in French aims to convey the Algerian experience to an international readership without conflicting with his cultural identity. He also referred to major figures in Arab and world literature, notably Naguib MAHFOUZ, to highlight the ethical dimension of writing.

The meeting concluded with a ceremony honoring the writer, presided over by the University Rector, in recognition of his literary career and his contribution to promoting Algerian literature internationally. The ceremony was followed by the donation of several of the author’s works to the University Library and a book signing session.