Mariam A.
French President Emmanuel Macron standing with Boualem Benhaoua the owner of Disco Maghreb at his studio Disco Maghreb. Algeria's city of Oran, 27 August 2022. Screenshot from a video by AFP. Fair use. On August 29, French President Emmanuel Macron concluded his three-day visit to Algeria with a historic stopover in the city of Oran, during which he visited the fortress and the Church of Santa Cruz, two of the country's most significant Christian landmarks. Then he headed to Disco Magreb, a renowned music record shop seen as the home of well-known Algerian raï music. After nearly two years of cold relations between the two countries, Macron’s stop was intended to win over the hearts of the Algerian youth. It appears that Macron is aware of rai music. He is seen carrying a cassette for Cheb Hasni while in Disco Maghreb. Cheb Hasni was assassinated by two masked assailants in 1994 at the height of his stardom and youth, shocking Algerians. Emmanuel Macron pris en photo avec une légendaire cassette de Cheb Hasni c’est trop fou pic.twitter.com/HHcoIrTYEV — Wahib 🇲🇦🦁 (@Wahib__02) August 27, 2022 Emmanuel Macron photographed with a legendary Cheb Hasni cassette, it's too crazy Disco Maghreb has an interesting story. Despite being one of the greatest brands where icons of the Algerian rai world, such Cheb Khaled, Cheb Mami and Cheb Hasni recorded songs, it closed its doors nearly 20 years ago. Disco Maghreb, however had not drawn its last breath yet — quite the contrary, it was reborn after Franco-Algerian artist DJ snake released a music video called Disco Maghreb, that used a mix of chaoui, Al-Nayli, Al-Qasbah, and Al-Rai rhythms. The video pays tribute to Snake’s Algerian roots — his mother is Algerian. The artist explained in a tweet that he imagined Disco Maghreb to be “a bridge between different generations and origins, linking North Africa, the Arab world and beyond. Since its upload on YouTube on May 31, the video has garnered nearly 86 million views, and that number is still growing. In his journey, Macron aimed to focus on the future while also revitalizing bilateral cooperation and partnership. For his part, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune welcomed the “positive dynamic” in the relationship between the two countries and emphasized the promising prospects for their special partnership. The Algerian people had a different opinion despite the warm official reception and the widely celebrated stopover at Disco Maghreb. Hundreds of Algerians gathered around Macron’s car in Oran, shouting insults, slogans like “one, two, three…viva l'Algérie” (long live Algeria), and accusations that Macron only cares about Algerian gas. Macron apparently misunderstood the message, and returned a cheery hand gesture to express his gratitude, after which he had to cut short his impromptu walkabout. The episode was captured on video, and went viral: بهذه العبارة استقبل شعبنا في وهران الرئيس الفرنسي إيمانويل ماكرون “تحيا الجزائر” حنا ماناش تاع هذيك الجهة لي يبوسولو يديه وأمور أخرى pic.twitter.com/AF1prXQl6e — Billel Aggab – بلال عقاب 🇩🇿 (@billel_blog) August 27, 2022 Our people in Oran received the French president, Emmanuel Macron with this slogan “Vive l'Algerie”. We don’t have anyone to kiss his hand and other parts. This caricature summed up the stopover at Disco Maghreb and the reaction to it: Cheb #Macron était à Oran ce samedi pour visiter un sanctuaire chrétien et la boutique de la légende du #Raï Disco Maghreb. Le Président s'est essayé a un bain de foule tendu, écourté pour des raisons de sécurité. Décidément l'Algérie et la France, quelle belle histoire d'amour. pic.twitter.com/w8f1DpIepU — Le Foulard Déchaîné (@F_dechaine) August 28, 2022 Cheb #Macron was in Oran on Saturday to visit a Christian shrine and the legendary #Raï Disco Maghreb store. The president tried his luck on an impromptu walkabout, which was cut short for security reasons. Decidedly, Algeria and France, what a beautiful love story. “Cheb Macron” became the center of mockery by the Algerian youth soon after. Brilliantly, Algerians have responded with a series of memes to mark the occasion. This one renders the French president into the raï personality Cheb Macron (“released” by Disco-Maghreb) in which he sings of the beauty of Arzew, the site of an oil refinery. 10/10 pic.twitter.com/eigTU3GZrb — Christopher Silver (@chrisilver1) August 29, 2022 This picture mocks the man who visited Algeria as a president and left it as “Cheb Macron” Mais didon. Il vous quitté le président #Macron il est revenu #cheb_macro 😂😂😂 vous devez être fière 😁 pic.twitter.com/tIYlxBcNv8 — سعيد الجزائري (@zeghidi_said) August 29, 2022 He left you a president and returned to you as “Cheb Macron.” You must be proud.