Shakshuka... Searching For Algeria

In this second part of our history of football special, I discuss the development of football nationally and internationally in Algeria in the aftermath of independence in 1962, up to the present day!The article we discuss is this one- an amazing article - https://africasacountry.com/2026/06/the-politics-of-the-football-terraceAnd one of the songs we discuss, of the 1930s Chaabi master is discussed more here - https://gharamophone.com/2019/04/10/saoud-loranais-gheniet-u-s-m-o-polyphon-1934/

In part one of this two part extravaganza I am joined by Algerian football journalist Maher Mezahi to discuss the fascinating history of football in Algeria. In this part we delve deep in to the history of football in Algeria, before Algeria gained independence from France and how football ended up playing a role in that story!Follow Maher Mezahi across scoials and read his articles on Africa Is a Country! https://africasacountry.com/

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

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.Like Follow and Subscribe!

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.Like Subscribe and Follow!

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!

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.Like, subscribe and follow @algieria_searching_for

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 Searchingforalgeria@gmail.com!