Élection de Miss Kabylie...

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Élection de Miss Kabylie :
Ounissa Aït Abdeslam couronnée

Dimanche 11 Janvier 2009 -- Originaire du village de Béchar, dans la commune d’Iferhounène, wilaya de Tizi Ouzou, Ounissa Aït Abdeslam a été sacrée Miss Kabylie 2009, à l’issue d’un concours de beauté qui a eu lieu, jeudi dernier, à la salle de spectacles de la maison de la culture Mouloud Mammeri de Tizi Ouzou. Ainsi donc, dans une ambiance conviviale, mais surtout familiale et devant une assistance nombreuse, la nouvelle ambassadrice du Djurdjura a été élue parmi les dix-sept candidates en lice, dont deux concurrentes ont réussi à décrocher les seconde et troisième loges du podium. Il s’agit, en fait, de Siham Boulila et Dalila Djabali, qui ont été désignées première et deuxième dauphines du concours.

À peine élue nouvelle reine de la Kabylie, Ounissa Aït Abdeslam a déclaré, très émue : « Je suis très heureuse aujourd’hui d’avoir arraché la première place de ce concours. Je dédie cette consécration à ma famille, mes amies et tous mes proches ainsi qu’aux organisateurs de l’édition Miss Kabylie », dira cette lycéenne de 19 printemps. Notons également que cette quatrième édition de Miss Kabylie, organisée à l’initiative de l’agence Ray May communication, a été rehaussée, entre autres, par la présence de MM. Mohamed Ikherbane, Mohamed Belhadj, El Hadi Ould Ali et Saïd Lakhdari, respectivement premier responsable de l’APW, P/APC de Tizi Ouzou, directeur de la culture et député de la région. « On est là pour aider ce genre d’initiatives qui visent à mettre en place un trait d’union entre la modernité et les traditions ancestrales de la Kabylie », a estimé M. Ikherbane.

Cet événement a suscité un engouement particulier, comme l’a souligné aussi Mourad Aït Ahmed, responsable du comité d’organisation qui a préparé la manifestation aux côtés de Mme Feriel. « Il suffit de regarder autour de nous pour voir que ce concours est organisé dans la plupart des pays du monde, quels que soient leurs us et coutumes ou la religion pratiquée. Ce concours présente à l’évidence une universalité certaine. La richesse de notre culture, l’habileté de nos artisans et la beauté de nos femmes sont pour nous ce que nous avons de plus précieux. Admirez ces jeunes filles aux superbes robes hautes en couleur, aux visages rayonnants et aux allures de princesses. Elles sont nos meilleures ambassadrices. Elles délivrent le message du rêve et de l’espoir, et donnent de nous la meilleure image que nous puissions offrir au monde », a-t-il laissé entendre.

« Notre objectif est d’organiser ce rendez-vous chaque année et à l’occasion de Yennayer, journée ouvrable du calendrier berbère. Cette année, la présélection était très rigoureuse. Car, nous avons revu un peu les critères et les modalités de participation. Mais il y a quand même des candidates de différentes régions de Kabylie. L’organisation de Miss Kabylie est une réussite remarquable puisque nous avons pu relever un défi, celui de surmonter plusieurs tabous. Nous remercions tous ceux qui ont participé de près ou de loin à l’organisation de cette édition, notamment nos partenaires et sponsors », a ajouté Mme Feriel qui a annoncé que la prochaine édition sera organisée dans une salle plus spacieuse, à Béjaïa ou à Alger.

Apres une minute de silence à la mémoire des victimes des raids israéliens sur Ghaza ainsi qu’une pensée aux martyrs du printemps noir et du chantre de la chanson kabyle Matoub Lounès, la fête a donc commencé, comme à l’accoutumée, avec des airs de musique, histoire de gratifier les présents de quelques mélodies de la chanson rythmée comme les tubes de certaines coqueluches de la nouvelle génération, à l’image de Mohamed Allaoua et Moumouh. S’en est suivi le ballet Djaouhara de la danse folklorique et le monologue de l’humoriste Amar Colombo, et ce, avant le début du défilé des candidates qui ont, tour à tour et chacune à sa manière, essayé de subjuguer les membres du jury. Ce fut donc un grand moment de suspense dans la salle jusqu’à la fin du concours. Miss Kabylie 2009 bénéficiera d’un voyage au Maroc. Enfin, il est utile de rappeler, par ailleurs, que Sara Boubrit a été élue Miss Kabylie 2008, tandis qu’Imane Tamani a décroché le même prix en 2006.

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Béchar teenager crowned Miss Kabylie 2009

January 11, 2009 -- Ounissa Aït Abdeslam, a 19-year-old student from Béchar, was crowned Miss Kabylie 2009 at a beauty pageant held Thursday at the Mouloud Mammeri Cultural Centre in Tizi Ouzou, El Watan reported on Sunday (January 11th). "The richness of our culture, the craftsmanship of our artisans and the beauty of our women are our most precious treasure," said Mourad Aït Ahmed of the event's planning committee. The pageant contestants, he said, are the region's "best ambassadors," bringing a message of hope and promise from the region to the world. The event was so successful, organisers said, that the next edition will have to be held in a more spacious facility in Béjaïa or Algiers.

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Interview with Miss Kabylie

January 26, 2009 -- Twenty-year old high school student Ounissa Ait Abdeslam was crowned Miss Kabylie at the end of a beauty contest held on January 12th at the Mouloud Mammeri Cultural Centre in Tizi-Ouzou.

The January 12th date marked the start of Yennayer, the Amazigh New Year.

Ounissa talked to Magharebia about her new title and her plans for the future.

Magharebia: You were crowned Miss Kabylie 2009 at the end of the beauty contest held in Tizi-Ouzou. What are your thoughts about your nomination?

Ounissa Ait Abdeslam: I’m delighted to have won the title. [Being selected] represents a great responsibility, [including] the proud duty of showing off our beauty and our Kabylian clothes.

Magharebia: Could your entry in the competition be considered as a way of promoting Amazigh culture?

Ounissa Ait Abdeslam: My entry in this competition is the logical working-out of the principles of women’s emancipation; principles to which I constantly aspire. My dream has come true thanks to the organisers, and I [am very] grateful to them.

It’s worth remembering that previously, fashions shows were only held in Algiers. Now thanks to the determined approach of Mourad Ait Ahmed and Ferial, such events are held in Kabylie. Ait Ahmed and Ferial deserve praise for the pleasure they’ve given.

Magharebia: As the new Kabylian ambassador for beauty, what message would you like to send out to the world?

Ounissa Ait Abdeslam: My message is clear and simple: it is now possible to dream of working in the world of fashion in Kabylie, where women [have reached a certain level of] emancipation. Chauvinism has been driven back thanks to the maturity and self-sacrifice of our women, to whom I would like to pay my respects.

I also hope to see peace reign in our country and in other countries around the world where people [experience many sacrifices].

Magharebia: What made it possible for you to enter the beauty pageant?

Ounissa Ait Abdeslam: I must point out that thanks to [my agent], it was possible [for me] to become involved in fashion shows and advertising without a second thought. One simply needs not to be afraid of hard work.

Magharebia: What qualities does a beauty queen need?

Ounissa Ait Abdeslam: A beauty queen must be available [to show support to] all good causes.

Magharebia: As Miss Kabylie, your fame will spread beyond Algeria’s borders. What does this mean for you?

Ounissa Ait Abdeslam: I want to showcase Kabylian women and their immeasurable cultural heritage.

Magharebia: What plans do you have in life?

Ounissa Ait Abdeslam: To get my baccalaureate, to contribute to society, and to help the poor.

Magharebia: Which beauty queen is your role model?

Ounissa Ait Abdeslam: I can’t remember the names, there have been so many.

Magharebia: What are your favourite hobbies?

Ounissa Ait Abdeslam: Music; I love listening to Mourad Guerbas. And surfing the Net.

Magharebia: How did you manage to get your parents to agree to you taking part in this competition?

Ounissa Ait Abdeslam: My parents firmly support me because they saw how serious and professional the organisers were, and they trusted them completely.

Magharebia: Do you have any closing words?

Ounissa Ait Abdeslam: I dedicate this title to my whole family.

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Interview with Mourad Ait Ahmed, manager of Miss Kabylie

January 28, 2009 -- Mourad Ait Ahmed, manager of the Miss Kabylie pageant, embraced the world of fashion at a young age. This passion has enabled him to develop a positive vision of the Kabyle society he has managed to revolutionise. His wealth of experience laid out a role for him as a catalyst in the promotion of Kabyle culture, which has become an exportable commodity. Ait Ahmed took time recently to speak to Magharebia about his creation and its cultural implications.

Magharebia: The organisation of the Miss Kabylie competition, now in its fourth year, is a new phenomenon for Kabyle society.

Mourad Ait Ahmed: Yes indeed, it's a new phenomenon for our society, which is undergoing fundamental change. I started my career in fashion in 1993 and I ran the Miss Algeria competition twice, in 1999 and 2000, and Miss Tunis Capital in Tunisia in 2002.

I have also organised more than 30 fashion shows.

With Miss Kabylie, I worked on the organisation with my wife, and I'm on the fourth event now. I must say that the events in 2005, 2006 and 2008 were really trial runs to prepare families and our region for this event, but the 2009 event is where the election of Miss Kabylie really took off.

Magharebia: Would you say that this has been a step towards modernity?

Mourad Ait Ahmed: Of course our society has taken a big step towards modernity; it is often the parents who encourage their daughters to take part in the competition. Our professionalism and strong organisation have also made it easier for families to embrace our way of thinking.

The event has allowed more than 70 girls from various regions around Kabylie to take part in the parade and realise what is every little girl's dream.

Magharebia: In Kabyle society, locked into its ancestral customs and habits, it's not easy to find parents prepared to let their daughters show off their beauty. Many see Miss Kabylie as a social revolution. What do you think?

Mourad Ait Ahmed: I must tell you that I work with my wife, and for our parents that's not a problem at all. Our company simply wants the event to run smoothly, despite the fact that there are people in Tizi-Ouzou who want to take a stand and do all they can to sabotage the event.

I have to tell them that Miss Kabylie will be held every year despite them, and I will not give in to manipulation or blackmail.

Magharebia: The planning of this event to take place during the Yennayer [Amazigh New Year] celebrations did not happen by chance. What made you choose this date?

Mourad Ait Ahmed: It's clear that all around the world a beauty queen is crowned at the end of the year, so we chose Yennayer to start the year in a good way. I must pay tribute to all those people who supported us to make the event a success and I'm indebted to you. Thank you.