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American Cultural Heritage Delegation Completes Historic Trip To Algeria

Tour reveals remarkable cultural riches and a mutual commitment to preserve and protect culture

“This meeting represents a quality leap in the path of technical partnership and mutual support between the two countries.” – Algerian Ministry of Culture

Maqam Echahid (Martyrs’ Memorial), Algiers

July 1, 2026 — The first American cultural heritage delegation to visit the libraries, archives, museums, and cultural sites of Algeria completed a successful six-day mission to Algeria in May. Senior presidential advisor Peter Herdrich from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) led the delegation through a series of activities planned with colleagues from the US Embassy Algiers, the Algerian Ministry of Culture and Arts, and institutional partners in Algeria and the US. The American cultural delegation met with Algerian colleagues on a tour of heritage sites, national museums, libraries, study centers, and educational institutions, focusing on identifying shared opportunities for partnership and cooperation. Discussion with institutional and governmental staff revealed the breadth of Algeria’s commitment to cultural affairs, including their firm stance on combating looting and the illicit trafficking of cultural materials, their goal to strengthen all sectors of the heritage field, and their desire to take a leadership role in heritage preservation and protection in Africa. “Algeria’s cultural heritage bridges deep history to our present era – from rock art in the Sahara Desert to the Roman city of Tipaza, from the arrival of Islam to its millennium-plus efflorescence of art, manuscripts, and literature,” said Dr. Charles Henry, CLIR’s president.

Illuminated Manuscript, National Library of Algeria.

“This fascinating narrative is brilliantly conveyed in its museums, libraries, and archives. We are excited to learn about how we can assist Algeria’s leaders in making their culture more resilient and making their profound story more accessible to the world.” The visit culminated at the Palace of Culture in Algiers with a “Study Day.” During this day of presentations and discussion, the Ministry officials outlined areas of future cooperation, including strengthening the fight against illicit trade, applying technological innovations in the study of rock art and other world heritage in the far south of Algeria, encouraging digital innovation, and building modern infrastructure at Algeria’s museums, libraries, and other heritage institutions. The meeting was introduced by US diplomat and Chargé d’Affaires Mark Shapiro, underscoring the US commitment to cultural heritage preservation.

HE Mark Shapiro, Chargé d'Affaires, US Embassy Algiers, opening the conference. — HE Mark Shapiro, Chargé d’Affaires, US Embassy Algiers, opening the conference.

Input from Algerian experts and presentations from each of the delegates on their areas of expertise inspired a rich discussion of current and potential capacity for the protection of cultural property in institutional collections and archaeological sites. Organizers at the Ministry of Culture and Arts observed, “Algeria and the United States of America are strengthening mechanisms for the protection of cultural heritage and combating the smuggling of archaeological property. This meeting represents a quality leap in the path of technical partnership and mutual support between the two countries to meet the existing challenges that threaten the civil heritage. It also opens new horizons for field cooperation and skills development of heritage and security sectors, looking forward to protecting historical identity and preserving global heritage for the benefit of future generations.”

Participants in the May 2026 Conference About Cultural Heritage Preservation in Algeria — Participants in the May 2026 “Study Day” included representatives from the US Embassy, the CLIR delegation, the Ministry of Culture and Arts, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Gendarmerie, and national cultural institutions.

“Our delegation brings an unshakable commitment to the cause of cultural heritage preservation,” said delegation director Peter Herdrich. “We understand that our partnership requires systems, capacity building, and funds. We are bringing our knowledge of those necessities here, to Algeria, to share with our enthusiastic and committed Algerian colleagues. And we all expect to be back to take our partnership with our Algerian friends to great heights.”

For more information about the CLIR’s ongoing work with Algerian and American partners, please contact Peter Herdrich, pherdrich@clir.org

The American Delegation

CLIR Cultural Heritage Delegation to Algeria, May 2026 — From left: Lindsey Bauler, Tim O’Brien, Greg Adams, Nate Hill, Thomas Rieger,
Nathan Elkins, Sarah Loudin, Peter Herdrich, Lamia Chaib

The American delegation of experts included museum, library, archive, law enforcement, numismatic, and technology professionals from some of the nation’s top cultural institutions. Each brought unique insight, enthusiasm, and a long-standing commitment to protecting cultural heritage. CLIR gratefully acknowledges them and their institutions for their endorsement of the delegation’s goals.

Peter Herdrich (Head of Delegation), CLIR Senior Presidential Advisor, Global Partnerships and Cultural Heritage Strategy
Greg Adams, Head Archivist, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution
Abir Chorfa, CLIR Algeria Director, Cultural Diplomacy ExpertNathan Elkins, Deputy Director, American Numismatic Society
Nate Hill, Executive Director, Metropolitan New York Library Council
Sara Loudin, Supervisory Registrar, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution
Tim O’Brien, FBI Special Agent, Art Crime Unit
Thomas Rieger, Professor of Practice, Cultural Heritage Imaging Lab, Rochester Institute of Technology