Shakshuka... Searching For Algeria

In this episode I explore the Algerian war of Independence from the perspective of an 'ordinary' soldier

I interview Mehdi Adam Iskounen all about the memoir he helped write about his cousin Aissa's experience as an ordinary soldier.

It is an extraordinary story of courage, honour, luck and tragedy.

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In this final episode in a trilogy of episodes all about Algiers's architectural and artistic development I talk to Jason Oddy about the Algerian work of the architectural genius, Oscar Niemayer, and how his visions for an open society were both realised and unrealised.

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In this episode I talk to Alan O'Leary about the seminal masterpiece, the 1966 film the Battle Of Algiers, its place in cinematic and world history, and how it changed the way people saw colonial struggle.

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In this episode I talk to the architectural historian Professor Zeynep Celik about the impact the French occupation had on the urban fabric of Algiers. From the destruction of the colonial Ottoman heritage, to the survival of the Casbah, to the Imperialist dreams of the great French Modernist Le Corbusier.

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We're back! After a long absence I'm delighted to come back with an incredible guest- Lady Olga Maitland, co-founder and honorary president of the Algeria British Business Council.

We discuss her love of Algeria, how she has fought to improve British and Algerian relations and her hopes for tomorrow!

It was an honour to talk to her and I am delighted to say I have the whole of the next series recorded and ready to go!

Enjoy this Shakshuka everyone!

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In this special episode I talk to the amazing historian Roger Crowley about the great wars which tour the Mediterranean apart in the 1500s.

From the moment Barbarossa landed in the Maghreb, the fate of the Mediterranean would be altered forever. The transition of Algiers from peripheral wealthy town, to international centre of commerce is just one of many consequences- but in this episode I take a wider lens view with Roger about the context of the time that caused this transition.

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This week is a very special episode, as I'll be interviewing the brilliant author Adrian Tinniswood all about the Pirates of Algiers and the 'Barbary states'.

Often dismissed as savage and cruel by renaissance and early modern Europeans, these 'pirates' were infinitely more complex and interesting than simplistic narratives would tell you.

Adrian's book Pirates Of Barbary shines a different light on the culture and motivations of those people who decided to sail under the flag of Algiers.

Follow me at algeria_searching_for on instagram or [email protected]!

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Algiers was put on the map by two brothers. Before they arrived it had never been anything more than a mid size town. Under them it became the beating heart of one of the most important Ottoman regions. More than that, the concept of Algeria, with many of its boundaries, are the inheritance of their ambitions, their vendettas and their personalities.

In this episode I explore the life and times of Oruc and Heyreddin Barbarossa, some of the most infamous pirates, and underrated statesmen the world has ever seen.

Find me on instagram @Algeria_searching_for or email me at Gmail [email protected]

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In the second episode on the nation's capital I jump from the distant past to the present day and interview Algérois Nesrine about the city she lives in.

And who better than Nesrine, behind the amazing @nesartistic account on instagram to talk to about the dizzying array of architecture and unique culture of Algiers.

Next week I'm hoping to do an episode all about Barbarossa, if you or anyone you know is a world expert on him, do get in contact! If you'd like to appear on an episode, or if there is anything else you'd like to contact me about, find me @Algeria_Searching_For on instagram or email me at [email protected]

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In this episode I explore the unusual first two thousand years of Algiers's history and begin to answer the question, how did a fairly small provincial city end up becoming the most important city in the region? How did it give its name to Algeria?

Thanks so much to Nesrine Kheddar @nesartistic on instagram for her contribution!

Any historians who have issue with my quick explanation of 1500 years of history, or Arabic speakers who have issue with my pronunciation- or just super fans who want to email or contact, my instagram is @algeria_searching_for and my email is [email protected]

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