The American University in Cairo (AUC) and the Hadhramout Culture Foundation announced a strategic cultural partnership to present the acclaimed theatrical production Bakathir Museum at the Falaki Main Theater at AUC’s Tahrir Square campus on May 1 and 2, 2026. The partnership marks the 115th anniversary of the birth of the pioneering writer Ali Ahmad Bakathir (1910–1969), reviving his creative legacy through a contemporary theatrical vision.
Directed by Ahmed Fouad, the production blends drama, music and modern visual media, moving beyond conventional documentary approaches to engage today’s audiences through a vivid and intellectually resonant artistic language.
The performance is part of an ongoing series of cultural events launched at the Cairo Opera House in December 2025 and continuing over the course of a full year under the theme “115 Years of Influence.” The initiative seeks to celebrate Bakathir’s literary legacy by reinterpreting it through contemporary tools to reach new audiences across the Arab world.
“Partnerships like this one with the Hadhramout Culture Foundation are central to AUC’s mission,” said AUC President Ahmad Dallal. “One of the University’s enduring commitments is connecting knowledge across generations. By hosting Bakathir Museum, we bring a rich literary legacy into conversation with today’s students, intellectuals and scholars, bridging the past and the present,” Dallal added.
In parallel with the theatrical performances, the Hadhramout Culture Foundation has launched the “Bakathir Annual Award in Literature,” dedicated this year to Arabic poetry for youth. The award aims to discover emerging poetic talent, connect younger generations with Bakathir’s school of thought - distinguished by its blend of authenticity and innovation - and provide a competitive platform befitting the stature of Arabic literature.
Abdullah Ahmed Bugshan, chairman of the Founders Board of Hadhramout Culture Foundation, said: “We are not merely commemorating a figure from the past; we are investing in the future of Arab culture. Focusing on younger generations through theater and the annual literary award is the true guarantee of sustaining Bakathir’s renewed influence - something we have already witnessed through the strong engagement since the launch of the celebrations at the Cairo Opera House late last year.”
Poet, novelist and playwright Ali Ahmad Bakathir is widely regarded as one of the most prominent figures in 20th-century Arabic literature. He shared Egypt’s State Appreciation Award with Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz and produced memorable works, including the novel Wa Islamah and the epic Omar ibn al-Khattab. He was also the first to present a poetic Arabic translation of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.”
The Hadhramout Culture Foundation is a nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to promoting cultural awareness and supporting sustainable creative projects that connect Arab heritage with a global audience. Through grant programs, literary initiatives and performing arts events, the foundation works to support writers, theater practitioners and musicians, while enhancing their presence locally, nationally and internationally.
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