Under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hanno, Egypt’s Minister of Culture, and Ismail Abdallah, Secretary-General of the Arab Theater Institute (ATI), officially inaugurated the 16th edition of the Arab Theater Festival on Saturday.
The prestigious event, organized by the ATI in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, runs from January 10 to 16, 2026. This year’s edition, held under the theme "Toward a New and Renewed Arab Theater," coincides with the annual celebration of Arab Theater Day.
A Beacon of Arab Creativity
In his opening keynote, Minister Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hanno welcomed over 700 Arab creators to Cairo, describing the city as the "permanent capital of Arab culture."
"Cairo opens its stages once again to host one of the most prominent events on the Arab cultural agenda," Dr. Hanno stated. "The convening of this festival in Egypt reaffirms our belief in theater as a living art form—a free space for thought, enlightenment, and a sincere mirror reflecting the aspirations of the Arab people."
The Minister highlighted that this edition is exceptional for its expansion, with workshops and events extending to various Egyptian provinces. He also announced the upcoming launch of the first Puppet Arts Forum, an initiative aimed at diversifying the regional theatrical landscape.
A "Homecoming" for Arab Dramatists
Ismail Abdallah, Secretary-General of the ATI, conveyed the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, and Supreme President of the ATI.
Abdallah expressed deep gratitude for President El-Sisi’s patronage, noting that it reflects the vital role theater plays in modern nation-building. "This is the third time 'the Mother of the World' (Egypt) has hosted this festival," Abdallah remarked. "Egypt’s relationship with this festival is that of a mother to her children."
In an emotional tribute, Abdallah honored the giants of Egyptian theater—from pioneers like George Abyad and Naguib Al-Rihani to modern icons like Tawfiq Al-Hakim and Youssef Idrees—recognizing Cairo’s historical role in shaping the Arab artistic conscience.
Theater as a Critique of Modernity
Dr. Sameh Mehran delivered the official "Arab Theater Day" address, emphasizing the socio-political importance of the craft. He described theater as a "critical act" capable of deconstructing dominant discourses and resisting isolation in the digital age. "The moral power of theater lies in its ability to transform the individual 'I' into a collective 'We'," Mehran noted.
Honors and Competition
The opening ceremony, held at the Grand Theater of the Cairo Opera House, was directed by Khaled Galal and hosted by actress Rania Fareed Shawky.
The evening concluded with a high-profile awards ceremony honoring several luminaries for their lifelong contributions to the arts, including:
* Legendary Actors: Mohamed Sobhi, Ahmed Bedier, and Ferdous Abdel Hamid.
* Directors & Critics: Essam El-Sayed, Nasser Abdel Moneim, Abla Al-Rowaini, and others.
* Institutions: The Egyptian Association of Amateur Theater and the Center for Artistic Creativity.
The Competition:
The 16th edition features 14 theatrical performances from across the Arab world—including Morocco, Qatar, Tunisia, the UAE, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, and Egypt. These productions will compete for the prestigious Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi Award for Best Arab Theatrical Performance.
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