The Delegation of the European Union in Algeria hosted, last Thursday, a meeting-debate on the theme of the “Dialogue of musical cultures”, led by Dr. Mouloud Ounnoughene. The meeting focused on the contribution of North African culture in 19th century symphonic music, raising several issues related, in particular, to the cultural dimensions of the first confrontations between Christians and Muslims, to the oriental influence in the works of certain European composers, such as Félicien David, Ernest Reyer or Camille Saint-Saens, as well as to the North African origin of certain musical instruments introduced in Europe. During the debates, the participants questioned in particular the limits of the cognitive transposition of these acquired experiences.