The Stories That Make Us: a call to action from our ancestors
As humans, we are storytellers. We learned about the world through narratives passed down to us from our parents and grandparents. That is how we learned to view our community and the world around us.
In the opening scene of our award-winning short film “TIPASA”, you see an old man holding hands with his grandson, passing down to him his wisdom and tales of love and commitment to his land, guiding the future generation of changemakers.There the two stand, staring at the horizon.
This film project gave me the greatest honor to represent Algeria in “My Heritage” short-film competition by the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage, which is an initiative aimed at increasing awareness among Arab youth about World Heritage sites in the Arab region. The film takes us on a journey through the ancient ruins of Tipasa, Algeria, where we explore the importance of heritage preservation.
UNESCO states that Tipasa’s Roman ruins are considered to be at a very high risk from coastal floods and sea erosion. This is a risk that is expected to increase significantly by 2050. Watching this site be endangered by climate change has put a heavy weight of responsibility upon my shoulders. As a result, I feel compelled to make a call to action to address climate change and better preserve historically invaluable sites like Tipasa.
The Roman ruins of Tipasa, like countless other treasures around the world, are more than monuments. They are mirrors reflecting who we are and where we come from. To lose them would be to lose a part of ourselves. But together—through education, advocacy, and action—we can ensure these symbols of human ingenuity endure.
Algeria is actively responding to the challenges posed by climate change on its cultural heritage through a series of innovative initiatives. In the M’Zab Valley, the Office for the Protection and Promotion of the M’Zab Valley has published 14 technical guides and 8 educational modules on traditional construction techniques, benefiting over 5,000 local residents and guiding the restoration of more than 600 historic buildings.
The country’s Tourism Development Master Plan (SDAT 2025) has allocated $220 million to promote sustainable tourism while safeguarding cultural sites, resulting in the establishment of 12 eco-museums and 8 heritage circuits that combine guided tours with reforestation efforts, planting 45,000 native trees since 2022.
In Timimoun, the restoration of the ancient Amghir foggara irrigation system has revitalized 8 date palm gardens, providing water to 32 farming families and generating local revenue through tourism.
Algeria’s National Climate Plan outlines 155 measurable actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 7% by 2030, alongside a $650 million coastal management initiative focused on protecting high-risk sites like Tipasa.
If we fail to act today, future generations may never witness the beauty, history, and identity these places hold. But if we choose to act now, Tipasa—and countless other treasures—can remain standing as symbols of resilience for centuries to come.
Written by Ahmed Berramdane
TIPASA award-winning short-film:
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