#RT tribute

[zozoistireds-blog]

Thought I’d Reblog this since it’s most relevant today, it’s not goodbye it’s see ya later :) I hope you all have a good day despite the circumstances

Rooster teeth and RWBY: What it means to me

I never imagined back in 2019 that little 14 year old me scrolling through tumblr would lead to me finding the show that changed my life for the better

Back then, I was in a pit that I didn't think I would escape from with covid starting to ramp up, and my motivation for school tanking, I didn't expect much when I first saw people talking about rwby, I thought it would be just another animated show to turn your brain off, too

Never could I have imagined the impact it gave me, for the first time in my life I found a show that spoke to me, made me feel like me, made me realise how good life can be, and despite the ups and downs that I had control over my own destiny, it made me smile, laugh, and cry, It sparked a fire of creativity and excitement I never thought I'd have again, it brought me back into the creative light I had once discarded because I believed the world wasn't worth being a part of, rwby and by extension rooster teeth brought out the part of me I lost during 2019-2022 and I am and will forever be grateful to rwby and rooster teeth for as long as I live

So thank you, burnie, mounty, Eddy, Kerry, Barb, and all of crwby and Rooster teeth for being the light I thought I lost and showing me that even though things look bad.

You just have to keep moving forward.

Thank you for everything

And expect more rwby art from me in the future. I have no plans of letting this interest die!

[goddessmorgan666]

Findom RT game over on BlueSky

currently draining a married loser for all he's got.

[sodium-chloride-blog]

Genuinely baffled it took me MONTHS to get my Red vs Blue tribute art done... I shit you not, I started working on it a WEEK before Restoration dropped, and then I got swarmed with work AND uni.

21 whole years. This damn webseries is literally older than me. It's hard not get choked up about it. I picked up Red vs Blue one day during summer break when I was still in high school. I saw a weird machinima series on Netflix about a bunch of dudes in a box canyon and thought it seemed like a fun quick watch.

Four or five years later, and I'm more than halfway through university, and Red vs Blue has become my favorite show ever... Of all time. I've laughed and screamed and bawled my eyes out over it and these stupid fucking multicoloured simtroopers more than I'd like to admit.

Even with RT shut down, and Red vs Blue officially over after 18 seasons, 7(?) mini-series, 1 movie, and more PSA's than I can count, the memory and its legacy will live on in us, the community.

Thank you Rooster Teeth, Monty Oum, David Levy, Jeff and Casey Lee Williams, Trocadero, Miles Luna, Jason Saldaña, Matt Hullum, Geoff Ramsey, Gus Sorola, Burnie Burns, and everyone else who helped make Red vs Blue truly special. (I guess that includes Joel)

Maybe we'll never figure out why we were here, and in the end...? Maybe it doesn't matter why we were here. It only matters that we were here together.

But hey, I guess it'll always just be one of life's greatest mysteries.

.....Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go sob to Vale Deah on loop.

[hplovecraftmuseum]

For some reason I was unable to add to or edit the Museum's previous Exibit. I will attempt to give credit here for the illustrations Below. Top left is a ceramic sculpture of Cthulhu by the late Richard Tierney. At top rt and bottom rt are cover illustrations of the Last Gasp tributes to HPL from the early 1970s. Below left is one of the interior illustrations from these same comics representing THE HOUND. JAX, SPAIN, ARNOLD and others contributed art to these publications. (Exhibit 552)

[officialah]

Welcome to Same Brain! Can you THINK in SYNC?

We challenge our contestants to see if they can match their answers with our panelists of content creators & influencers in this Black Heritage Month special. If you watched Match Game, this tribute will scratch your nostalgia itch! Created by BK and Ky, featuring Fiona Nova, Blizzb3ar, Michael Jones, Trevor Collins, Griff, and Eric Baudour! You can watch it on the RT site or RT YT, now out for everyone everywhere! WATCH HERE: https://bit.ly/3Y0xKhM

[ordinaryschmuck]

Good things that happened today:

1. Finished Delicious in Dungeon. It’s still good. A bit of a bummer that I have to wait longer to see new episodes as it’s one of those rare shows that suck you in and you just DON’T want to stop watching as these characters continue their adventure despite SOME inconveniences like swapping species or facing trauma of potentially committing cannibalism. I can’t wait for season two, and look forward to more insanity with this party.

2. Ate two apples. Which is good for my health. Better than the two doughnuts I indulged in.

3. Got to pet four dogs as I gave customers their groceries. Two were familiar with me and was excited to see me and the other two were so excited to see another human that they licked my hand as I pet them. One even gave me a love nib.

4. Didn’t get to take out a 19 tote order for delivery. That responsibility went to this annoying dick who thinks he’s funnier than he is.

5. I had to walk home, and as I was heading out of the store there was this bolt of lightning that flashed in the sky behind me. Just as I was starting to jog my way home to outrun the oncoming storm, one of our drivers pulled up and went, “Hey, buddy! Nice to see you! Hey, uh, do you need a ride?” It was a perfect moment of good luck that got me out of being drenched or struck by lightning or both.

6. Didn’t get to watch Red vs Blue Season 10 as planned, the RT Archive was acting screwy, so I watched a few old AMVs instead, one of my favorites being a Tucker tribute to “7 Years Old.” It was well edited and made me realize how bits of it could apply to one of MY OCs, even got me thinking about how other songs could represent my original characters. Might make a post on that one day.

7. My buddy started sharing more Inside Out OC stuff, fleshing out this fun character and her emotions. It feels great being the one of the first to see great talented work from a great friend like him.

[pleafyistired]

WELL UH. results i guess

The Bloodbath No deaths occurred.

Day 1 All the RTs ALL OF EM is unable to convince Froge to not kill him. Daniel kills Kiesha with her own weapon.

Night 1 No deaths occurred.

Day 2 Aamit, Adam, and Morkify start fighting, but Adam runs away as Aamit kills Morkify. Froge unknowingly eats toxic berries.

Night 2 RTSans repeatedly stabs Copper to death with sais.

Day 3 Daniel severely slices Aamit with a sword. the Board bashes Fluffy's head against a rock several times.

Night 3 Kevler forces The Employees to kill Jay/Qil or Cupcler. He decides to kill Jay/Qil. Daniel forces RTSans to kill the Board or Possum. He refuses to kill, so Daniel kills him instead.

Day 4 No deaths occurred.

Night 4 No deaths occurred.

Day 5 Void unknowingly eats toxic berries. Daniel throws a knife into Bubblegum-gf's head.

Night 5 Dweebo kills Styx with his own weapon.

Day 6 Kevler catches Plex off guard and kills him.

Night 6 RTcler severely injures Magical John, but puts him out of his misery.

Day 7 Possum falls into a pit and dies.

Night 7 Daniel stabs RTcler with a tree branch. Dweebo dies trying to escape the arena.

The Feast Kevler kills the Board as he tries to run.

Day 8 No deaths occurred.

Arena Event Carnivorous squirrels start attacking the tributes. Cupcler is brutally attacked by a scurry of squirrels. Adam tries to kills as many squirrels as he can, but there are too many. Kevler tries to kills as many squirrels as he can, but there are too many. Daniel tries to kills as many squirrels as he can, but there are too many.

Night 8 Lucy tracks down and kills The Employees. The winner is Lucy from District 5!

[campto]

Grace: Another Victim of Ms. Shackleton's Vodoun

Based on DigitalCirce's Put A Ring in It series: https://www.deviantart.com/digitalc.....rt-2-509417336 and my follow-up tribute: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/39971298/

Ms. Shackleton could just never bear her son Lamont dating young women. Every girl he ever showed affection for mysteriously disappeared, as Mother just knew none of them were good enough for her son.

And this is how they ended up. Close to a dozen girls that Lamont had dated, or just spoken to too many times for Ms. Shackleton's liking, are stuck in compounds throughout the island, doing level their best to survive in their altered form.

Grace, here, has had a better life than most of her colleagues. She lives on a sugar plantation, and helps dispose of sour mashes and poor grade molasses. She also prowls the fields burrowing for grubs and insects which feed on the sugar cane (as seen here). This varied diet keeps her both healthy and sharp of mind.

And, as you can see, her owners keep her clean, groomed, and stylishly coiffed, to let her know she is cared for and cherished and all that stuff.

She's still not happy not being human, but, as the years go by, she's become more and more used to being a pig. Her owners, figured that since she could not speak anymore, she couldn't understand them either. That was not the case; Grace just played her cards close to her... spare ribs, and feigned incomprehension when they spoke. So they continued to speak to Ms. Shackleton on the phone in front of her, letting Grace know that after all these years, she was still on the woman's radar.

Reuniting with Lamont was a non-starter then. She just wondered how many other young island girls had run afoul of Ms. Shackleton since her own unfortunate metamorphosis. Lamont had to know that something strange was going on, but then again, he had always had a massive blind spot where Mom was concerned. These shenanigans would probably extend to his middle age, or when Ms. Shackleton finally shuffled off this mortal coil.

[brattyxqueen]

🎀Meet your Queen🎀

Tiff/ mid 30’s/ Chinese 🇨🇳 Canadian🇨🇦/ preferred to be called Queen or Goddess

🎀what I offer🎀

💰 Cashmeet 💰Findom drains

💰voice note drains 💰Custom photos

💰 RT games 💰Sissy training

💰 Orgasm control 💰Appraisals

💰 Worn items. 💰 Chasity keyholding

I DO NOT REPLY WITHOUT TRIBUTE SO DON’T EVEN TRY. Info in bio

🎀 Expectation from YOU 🎀

1. Tribute before approaching

2. Show me respect. Treat me with respect and it will be returned

3. Don’t be needy- This will be hard for you but being needy will cost you a block. An unblock fee along with an apology essay will be requested before Queen makes a decision to unblock.

4. Stay focussed- You’re required to constantly think about ways to better serve me.

If this sounds like you or you think you could manage there expectations. Feel free to tribute and approach,

MY TIME IS PRECIOUS AND YOU ARE TO RESPECT IT.

🎀 last thing I request is to please write a paragraph about yourself and include your kinks and limits 🎀

Thanks for coming to my ted talk

[collectingall]

∀ PSA 10 💥 2020-21 Clear Cut RT-NS Nick Suzuki SP Authentic Rookies Tribute Auto http://blog.collectingall.com/TG8Vxf 👉 bit.ly/myslabs 👈

[rentnhope]

5 Music Heritage Bike Tour in Bangalore: A Melodic Ride Through History

Bangalore, sometimes referred to as the Silicon Valley of India, is recognized for its rich musical history in addition to its tech hubs and exciting urban lifestyle. The city has served as the starting point and source of inspiration for different styles and musicians, from modern rock to classical Carnatic music. Riding a bike is perhaps the best way to discover this musical history. The ideal way to take in the harmony of the city's past and present while taking a leisurely, beautiful tour of its musical landmarks is with a bike rental in Bangalore. This blog will take you on a five-stop bike tour exploring Bangalore's musical past while showcasing the city's most famous landmarks, districts, and establishments that have greatly influenced the city's soundscape.

1. M. Chinnaswamy Stadium: The Pulse of Rock and Concerts

The famed M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is our first stop; in addition to being a cricket stadium, it's also the venue of some of the greatest international music events. This stadium has been witness to the roaring support of music fans during high-profile rock and pop events, from Coldplay to Metallica. Riding a bike here first thing in the morning is an excellent opportunity to take in the crisp city air and picture the vibrant vibe that surrounds the stadium on concert evenings. The stadium is conveniently accessible from the city center of Bangalore with the help of Bangalore bike rental providers, and it's an excellent chance to get a taste of the lively modern music scene in the area.

2. Chowdiah Memorial Hall: A Tribute to Classical Music

The city's appreciation of classical music is shown by Chowdiah Memorial Hall, an auditorium designed like a violin. This location, which bears the name of the famous violinist T. Chowdiah, has long served as a center for Carnatic music events. Visit the hall to take in its distinctive architecture and extensive history as you ride your bike through Malleswaram's peaceful streets. Riding a bike here allows you to experience the vibrancy and old charm of Bangalore, where culture and music abound. The haunting sounds of classical music still resound in this must-see location for music fans.

3. Rangashankara: Bangalore’s Theatre and Music Hub

Ride your bike to Rangashankara, a popular cultural destination in JP Nagar where musicals and plays frequently coexist. This small stage, which hosts a range of musical events including fusion performances and indie bands, serves as a gathering place for the creative community in Bangalore. Snack at one of the neighborhood cafes and pick up a conversation with the local artists or musicians who play in the area.

The bike journey to Rangashankara offers a peaceful cycling experience as you discover the creative pulse of the city as it passes through the more calm residential paths of south Bangalore.

4. Palace Grounds: Bangalore’s Musical Epicenter

If one were to take a tour of Bangalore's musical history, one must visit Palace Grounds. This huge venue has played host to some of the biggest music festivals and performances throughout the years, including rock and electronic music festivals, Bollywood music evenings, and more. Bangaloreans have been enjoying live music in its various forms for decades at Palace Grounds. By riding a bike over the vast grounds, one can envision the special moments that millions of music lovers have experienced under the Bangalore sky. It's easy to ride around and take in the magnificence of the place without any hassle thanks to bike rental in Bangalore.

5. The Bangalore School of Music: Nurturing Future Maestros

End your journey at the Bangalore School of Music, located in RT Nagar. For over thirty years now, this organization has been in the center of developing the city's potential for Western classical music. In addition to providing piano, violin, and other instrument lessons, the school hosts performances for both novice and professional players. See how the city supports the next generation of musical talent by taking an easy and informative ride to the Bangalore School of Music.

Conclusion

Bangalore has a diverse and rich musical history, ranging from the upbeat rock concerts at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to the emotional shows in Chowdiah Memorial Hall. In addition to seeing these historical locations, cycling around the city gives you a taste of the local culture that continues to influence Bangalore's musical scene. This musical history trip may be simple and inexpensively planned with the help of Bangalore bike rental businesses. This bike trip is the ideal way to discover the melodic side of Bangalore's rich history, whether you're a rock n' roll or classical music enthusiast. Now grab your bike and follow the sounds of the city's music.

[insidecroydon]

Memorial mural unveiled of Elianne Andam on first anniversary

‘Beautiful soul’: the memorial mural and bench for Elianne Andam, unveiled yesterday, a year since her death A memorial bench and mural, close to the spot where she had been killed a year earlier, was a fitting tribute for “a beautiful soul taken to soon”. Those were the words of the Bishop of Croydon, Rt Rev Dr Rosemarie Mallett, who attended to bless the image of Elianne Andam which was…

[curryvillain]

OLDIES SUNDAY: The Visionaires - Marcus Garvey (1982)

Yesterday (August 17) was celebrated as the birthday of the late Rt. Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey. The Pan-Africanist was Jamaica’s first National Hero, and inspired many Civil Rights Activists, Rastafarians, The Nation Of Islam, and Black Power Movements. His teachings and influence continues to connect with many generations, but on “Oldies Sunday“, we look back at one of his tributes. Today’s…

[xtruss]

La Colonisation: French History of Death, Torture and Indescribable Violence in the Pearl of Its Evil Empire! Many Issues Arising From France’s Colonial Crimes in Algeria Have Still Not Been Resolved

— April 10, 2024 | RT

© RT/RT

Every year, Algeria remembers the colonial crimes committed by France against the Algerian people. The North African country commemorates several such dates throughout the year: February 13 – the day of the first nuclear test, July 5 – Independence Day, November 1 – Revolution Day, which marked the beginning of the eight-year independence war of 1954-1962, and December 11 – the day on which mass demonstrations started in 1960, and were brutally suppressed by French troops.

Algeria’s colonial period lasted for over 130 years, but the nation didn’t give up on its dream of breaking free from colonial oppression. Algeria’s sovereignty was finally recognized in 1962. But independence was won with a great deal of blood. According to official Algerian data, about 1.5 million local residents died in the war with France (1954-1962), about one sixth of the country’s population at the time.

Addressing the people on the occasion of Independence Day in 2021, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune recalled that the French colonialists were responsible for the most cruel violence, murder, and destruction in Algeria. Historians estimate that from 1830 to 1962 the colonialists caused the deaths of over five million people, including those who died as a result of contamination from nuclear tests.

In the 1954-1962 war against the National Liberation Front (Le Front de libération nationale, FLN), the French used civilians as hostages and human shields. Historians have documented numerous cases when French colonialists exterminated entire villages. They resorted to electric shock torture, used wells as prisons, threw prisoners from helicopters, and buried people alive in mass graves which the victims were forced to dig for themselves. The European invaders used the most sophisticated and cruel methods of torture.

French Foreign Legion, Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria, 20th century. French postcard. © Art Media/Print Collector/Getty Images

The Musée de l’Homme in Paris still houses 18,000 skulls acquired from dependent territories, of which only 500 have been identified, according to French media. Most of these skulls are not publicly exhibited. The skulls of several dozen Algerian resistance fighters have also been kept in the museum since the 19th century.

France’s colonial crimes affected not only people, but also Algeria’s cultural and historical heritage. During the occupation period from 1830 to 1962, the French transported hundreds of thousands of documents to Paris, including those related to the Ottoman period (1518-1830). Since gaining independence, Algeria has appealed to France to return the archive. But each time when this issue comes up, France says that according to its laws, the documents are considered classified and their disclosure is a threat to national security.

French Ontervention

The French invasion of Algeria in 1830 marked the beginning of the European country’s extensive colonization of Asian and African territories. The occupation process stretched on for several decades, as the local population put up an active resistance.

At the beginning of the 19th century, Algeria remained under the nominal rule of the Ottoman Empire, to which it regularly made tribute payments. However, the country retained much of its independence when it came to external political and commercial contacts. During France’s Italian and Egyptian campaigns (1793-1798) Algeria supplied Paris with wheat on credit. In the following decades, however, France refused to pay the debt, which resulted in major disagreements between the two countries.

In 1827, during one such dispute, Algeria’s Ottoman governor, Hussein Pasha, lost his temper and slapped the French ambassador Pierre Deval with a fly swatter (or a fan, according to other accounts). The King of France, Charles X, used this incident as an excuse to invade Algeria, believing that given the internal instability France was going through, an external military campaign could help rally society around the throne.

In the summer of 1830, a 37,000-strong expeditionary force from Paris arrived near Algiers and soon entered the city. Hussein Pasha capitulated. This victory did not help Charles X, who eventually abdicated, but the French remained in Algeria for the next 132 years.

Abd al-Qadir

Having occupied several Mediterranean ports, the Europeans decided to move inland, but at that point the local Arabs and Berbers, who had previously fought against the Ottoman Empire, put up strong resistance.

The anti-French movement was led by Abd al-Qadir, the son of the leader of the Qadiriyya, a local Sufi order. In November 1832, he was proclaimed as the emir of the Arab tribes in the west of the country, and united the local population in the fight against the French occupation. Abd al-Qadir was adept at managing territories and conducting guerrilla warfare, and fought against the invaders for 15 years. He became a legendary figure, and his fame spread throughout the Muslim world and Europe.

Abd al-Qadir was very popular among Algerians, since he was considered a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (i.e. a Sharif) and a true ruler of the faithful. However, resorting to pogroms and the mass extermination of the local population, the French deprived him of the support of many military leaders and turned the course of the war in their favor.

The Algerians paid a heavy price for the resistance – hundreds of thousands died as a result of it. From 1847 to 1852, Abd al-Qadir remained in a French prison, after which he was released and went to live in exile in Damascus, where he died in 1883.

Algérie Française: No Rights For Locals

In the following decades, Algeria was actively colonized, and the colonial territory expanded south. By 1847, there were about 110,000 European settlers in Algeria, and by 1870 this number had doubled.

In 1848, Algeria was declared a territory of France and was designated as its overseas department, with a European Governor-General in charge. The locals became subjects (but not citizens) of France. After the Ottomans were ousted from Algeria and the Abd al-Qadir movement was suppressed, the French had to deal with several other major uprisings in the 19th century, the last of which occurred in 1871-1872.

By the beginning of the 20th century, the French had conquered lands stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sahara. In the 1920s, over 800,000 French settlers resided in Algeria. Three provinces – Oran, Algiers, and Constantine – became French departments. They elected representatives to the French Chamber of Deputies, but only European settlers who backed the interests of Paris could take part in these elections. Algerians did not have the right to vote.

Economic Benefits

Economically speaking, the period between 1885-1930 is considered the golden age of French Algeria (and of the entire French Maghreb region). The country’s most important ports and cities were rebuilt and modernized and the agricultural sector was actively developed. Muslims had relative autonomy and retained their religious and cultural institutions.

The demographic boom, facilitated by European achievements in the fields of health and medicine, led to a threefold increase in the population, which reached nine million by the mid-20th century. Out of these, about a million were French colonists who seized about 40% of the cultivated land, which meant the most fertile land in the country belonged to them.

In other areas of life, there was also inequality between the locals and the colonizers. Local workers were paid less, and about 75% of Algerians remained illiterate. Despite these issues, however, peace lasted in the country for many decades.

Paris derived great economic benefits from its new territories. Algeria occupied a central place among France’s eastern possessions and its location was strategically important since the most convenient routes which connected France with its colonies in West and Central Africa passed through Algeria.

In May 27, 1956 file photo, French troops seal off Algiers' notorious casbah, 400-year-old teeming Arab quarter. © AP Photo, File

The largest and bloodiest massacre committed by France in a single day occurred on May 8, 1945, when hundreds of thousands of Algerians took to the streets to celebrate the end of World War II. When people started shouting slogans demanding independence, the colonial forces opened fire on the peaceful protesters. At least 45,000 unarmed demonstrators were killed that day.

Protests broke out in France as well, and were also brutally suppressed. October 17, 1961, went down in history as the day of the “Massacre on the Seine”, or the “Paris pogrom”. On that day, about 60,000 Algerians took to the streets of Paris, demanding an end to the colonization of their country. The French authorities again used firearms against peaceful protesters, many of whom were thrown into the River Seine. The death toll amounted to 1,500, while 800 people went missing, and thousands were detained.

The working people of Paris demanding an end to the war in Algeria. 1962. Reproduction of a photo from the newspaper L'Humanite. © RIA Novosti / Sputnik

However, this did not stop the national liberation movement in Algeria. In November 1954, an alliance of several political organizations formed the National Liberation Front (le Front de Libération Nationale), which headed the armed struggle for independence. Many underground guerrilla groups also sprang up that supported the sovereignty of Algeria. At the end of 1954, they all went into attack, and this marked the beginning of the Algerian War of Independence, which lasted until March 1962.

Paris sent additional military units to Algeria to fight the rebels. An estimated 500,000 to 1.5 million local residents and over 15,000 European servicemen died as a result of the hostilities, which lasted more than seven years.

French soldiers looking at dead bodies during "Operation Bigeard" in March 1956, when an armed outbreak in Souk-Ahras, South of Constantine region, Algeria. © Reporters Associes/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

France won the war on a tactical level, but suffered a political and reputational defeat – its actions drew sharp criticism from its own citizens and the world community.

After negotiations and the signing of the Évian Accords, Algerians held a referendum and almost unanimously voted for independence, which was officially proclaimed on July 5, 1962.

Demining

After the war, it was necessary to clear the territory of mines. Since Algeria did not have qualified sappers, it requested assistance from European countries (Italy, Sweden, and Germany), but they refused to help. Private companies could not solve the problem either.

It was then that the USSR agreed to help Algeria, free of charge. On July 27, 1963, an agreement was signed between the Soviet leadership and Algeria. Soviet specialists removed about 1.5 million mines in Algeria from 1962 to 1965.

Nuclear Tests

A group of dummies set up on the French nuclear weapons testing range near Reggane, Algeria, before France’s third atomic bomb test, 27th December 1960. © Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

One of the greatest crimes against humanity was the testing of nuclear and chemical weapons of mass destruction, which was carried out by France from 1960 to 1966 in the Sahara Desert in Algeria.

The first nuclear explosion happened on February 13, 1960, near the town of Zaouit Reggani in southwestern Algeria and was codenamed “Gerboise Bleue”. This experiment launched the process that turned Algeria into France’s nuclear test site. The power of the nuclear bomb was estimated at 60-70 kilotons, which is about four times greater than the bomb dropped by the US on Hiroshima during WWII.

A total of 17 nuclear tests were conducted in Algeria, which led to the death of 42,000 Algerians. Many people became disabled, and the negative impact on the environment and the health of local residents is felt to this day. Algerian authorities are demanding that France hand over maps which show where the radioactive waste from these experiments was disposed of. But to this day, France hasn’t complied.

France Is Still There

France suffered a severe blow when it lost its largest African colony, from which it derived great economic benefit. To this day, many problems between the two countries have not been fully resolved, and echoes of imperialism are still evident in their relations.

Algeria wants France to officially admit its guilt, and take responsibility for the past events. However, in the past 60 years, Paris has never offered an official apology to Algeria, although some of its leaders made certain apologetic statements. Moreover, Algerian leaders often raise the issue of approving a bill which would criminalize the colonial policy of Paris.

After gaining independence, Algeria faced contradictory emotions – it wanted to put an end to its former dependence on France, but the well-established trade ties, the lack of experienced national government officials, and the military presence stipulated by the Evian Accords ensured the presence of France in Algeria. Moreover, Paris provided the necessary financial assistance and supplied Algeria with essential goods.

Things changed when Algerian authorities decided to nationalize industrial and energy enterprises in the late 1960s. France’s intervention in the Western Sahara conflict, in which it supported Morocco, and a stop in purchases of Algerian oil, which led to a trade imbalance in the late 1970s, further strained relations between the two countries. However, despite a decline in political relations, economic ties with France– especially those related to the energy sector – have remained strong throughout the history of independent Algeria.

Four Key Issues

In December 2018, Algerian Minister of War Veterans Tayeb Zitouni stated that there are four key issues (the so-called “memory file”) related to the era of imperialism: the archive of documents from the colonial and Ottoman periods, the skulls of resistance fighters which are stored in the Paris Museum, the file of people who went missing during the war of independence, and compensation for the victims of nuclear tests. Zitouni said that addressing these issues is key to ensuring normal relations between France and Algeria.

In 2020, French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to hand over the remains of 24 Algerian resistance leaders who were killed and then beheaded by French colonial troops prior to the November 1954 revolution. All of them were buried at El Alia cemetery in Algiers. Negotiations continue on the return of other skulls, the number of which is not specified.

In late 2021, new tensions sprang up between France and Algeria. In his days as a presidential candidate, Emmanuel Macron recognized the colonization of Algeria as a crime against humanity. Macron said this on February 16, 2017, during a trip to Algeria. Nevertheless, by the end of his first presidential term, the countries were on the verge of a new diplomatic crisis – Macron still had not made an official apology for the “mistakes” of the past.

On October 3, 2021, Algeria decided to “immediately recall” its ambassador to France. The reaction was a response to an interview by Macron, published in Le Monde, in which he stated that since gaining independence in 1962, Algeria has lived off “income from history” which is diligently guarded by the military and political authorities, and questioned the existence of the Algerian nation prior to French colonialism. The former colony was insulted by these words.

Monument in Kherrata. © Wikipedia

Soon, Algerian authorities took even stricter measures. The next day, Algeria banned French military planes from its airspace. This order is still in force. In 2023, the authorities declined France’s request to open Algerian airspace for French military aircraft heading to Niger, where a military coup had taken place – an event that seriously undermined France’s influence in the region.

In an attempt to improve relations with Algeria, Macron paid a visit to the country in August 2022 and signed a new partnership agreement with President Abdelmajid Tebboune, on cooperation in various fields. However, relations between the countries remain tense. Tebboune was supposed to respond with a similar visit on May 3, 2023, but it has been postponed. The reasons are the same – Algeria is still waiting for France to take action on a number of issues, which are all related to historical memory.

— By Tamara Ryzhenkova, Orientalist, Senior Lecturer at the Department of History of the Middle East, St. Petersburg State University, Expert for the Telegram Channel ‘Arab Africa’

[thxnews]

The UK Prime Minister's Easter Message 2024

The UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Message for Easter "Happy Easter everyone. This weekend, as people come together to celebrate and reflect on the message at the heart of the Easter festival, I want to pay tribute to the incredible work of Christians in this country. To the churches, charities, volunteers and fundraisers who live the Christian values of compassion, charity and self-sacrifice, supporting those in need and demonstrating what it means to “love thy neighbour”. Many, I know, will also be thinking of those in pain and suffering around the world and Christians, persecuted because of their faith, who are unable to celebrate Easter freely. For many of us in the UK, Easter is a chance to pause and reflect, and an opportunity to spend some precious time with our families and a moment to enjoy the start of spring. So this weekend, let me wish you all a very happy and peaceful Easter."   Sources: THX News, Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street & The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP. Read the full article