New Attack on the Ain El Fouara Statue Sparks Widespread Controversy in Algeria

The Ain El Fouara statue, one of Algeria's most prominent landmarks, has been subjected to a new attack that reignited the debate over its presence in a public square or its relocation to a museum.

Severed Hand and Viral Video

An unknown individual severed the hand of the statue located in Ain El Fouara Square in Sétif Province, about 267 kilometers east of the Algerian capital, last Tuesday.
A video documenting the damage quickly spread widely across social media, triggering a wave of mixed reactions.

Calls for Protection vs. Calls for Removal

Many commenters demanded that the statue be fenced off and that penalties for its attackers be intensified, considering it part of the city's collective memory.
Conversely, others argued that the ongoing debate justifies its relocation to a museum, especially if its presence in the public square does not have the consensus of the residents.

The Story of a 19th Century Statue

Historian Abdelhak Chikhi explained that the statue was sculpted in 1898 by French artist Francis de Saint-Vidal, depicting a woman from Sétif. It was first unveiled at the Louvre Museum coinciding with the tenth anniversary celebrations of the Eiffel Tower's construction.
He added that the military governor of Sétif at the time requested the statue be gifted to the city, where it was placed atop a large fountain in July of the same year, and since then it has become a prominent architectural and tourist symbol.

A History of Vandalism and Restoration

This was not the first incident, as the statue was bombed in 1997, turning it into scattered pieces, before being restored and returned to its place. It has also faced repeated attempts at vandalism, each time restored at a cost described as high.

Despite the renewed controversy, the Ain El Fouara statue and its fountain remain a key stop for visitors to Sétif, who are accustomed to pausing to drink its water and take photos, in a scene that embodies the intersection of history, art, and local identity.