The 26th edition of Cairo International Festival for Contemporary and Experimental Theatre (CIFCET), headed by Dr. Sameh Mahran, kicked off Tuesday evening at Cairo Opera House's main hall, in Zamalek district.
The opening ceremony was kicked off with the world’s longest-running musical, American play “The Fantasticks”.
CIFCET will run through Sept. 19, with the United States as the guest of honour.
Several Arab and foreign countries will participate in the festival, most notably are the US, Kosovo, Hungary, Switzerland, Congo, South Africa, Kuwait, Syria, Germany, Portugal, UAE, Morocco, and Tunisia.
“The United States is proud to be chosen as this year’s guest of honor,” U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Dorothy Shea said in a statement.
“I am delighted to highlight the efforts of those who have been actively involved in preparing for this big festival,” she added.
The US official expressed her admiration with the festival's rich program, which is filled with performances, seminars and art workshops.
“These artistic programs also help Egyptians to see, learn and understand the depth of the American culture, and creates an opportunity for those who do not have the opportunity to get to know the US adequately and enable them to explore some of the cultural principles and values embodied in the artistically works,” Shea explained.
“The establishment of strong US-Egyptian relations is based largely on how well citizens in each country understand one another,” she added. “This is perhaps the main reason why we continue to support artistic programs that promote cultural ties and thus enhance understanding between the two sides.”
The festival honored a number of regional and international theatre veterans including, American playwright and director Lee Breuer, Greek director Theodoros Terzopoulos.
The honoree also included Dr. Jessica Kaahwa, a Ugandan renowned playwright, director, theatre critic, Egyptian playwright Mohamed Abou El-Ela El-Salamony, and Algerian theater director Ziani Cherif Ayad, and Iraqi director Mohsen Ali.
Contributed by: Yara Sameh
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