The award was received on behalf of His Highness by His Excellency Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Culture Department, during the festival's opening ceremony held in Cairo, Egypt.
The event was attended by Cairo Governor Dr Ibrahim Saber Khalil, festival president and head of the Actors' Syndicate Dr Ashraf Zaki, UAE Embassy representative in Egypt Counsellor Saleh Al Saadi, honorary president of the festival and former Egyptian Minister of Culture Dr Inas Abdel Dayem, president of the National Theatre Festival Mohamed Riad, along with a large number of Egyptian and Arab artists, theatre professionals, and cultural figures.
The Actors' Syndicate also chose to honour artists including the renowned actor Yehia El-Fakharany, director Samir Al-Asfoury, and posthumously the late actor Ahmed Rateb.
In his opening remarks, Abdullah Al Owais expressed his happiness in attending the festival, saying: "We are delighted to be with you at this joyful event on the occasion of the Egyptian Theatre Actors' Festival, where the theatre once again comes together through artistic and theatrical activities in Egypt's vibrant cultural scene."
Al Owais praised the role of Egyptian public and private institutions in enriching Arab cultural life, saying: "We highly appreciate the significant contributions overseen by both public and private institutions in enriching the Arab cultural scene."
He conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and expressed His Highness' gratitude for the honour, saying: "I am honoured to convey to you the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, as His Highness extends his thanks and appreciation for this recognition, and wishes you success and prosperity."
Ashraf Zaki, head of the festival, praised the role of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in Arab theatre, stating: "His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah has played a pivotal role in the revival of Arab theatre through continuous cultural initiatives, both materially and morally. In addition to this support, His Highness has made significant contributions to playwriting, which holds great importance for Arab intellectuals."
Zaki added: "His Highness' support extends to many cultural sectors, with theatre being a beneficiary of this broad cultural vision. His enormous efforts to support the Arab theatre movement have had a clear impact, and His Highness' generous support includes the establishment of a home for elderly artists in Egypt, which is greatly valued and appreciated by every Egyptian and Arab artist, creator, and intellectual."
The Egyptian Theatre Actors' Festival is an annual event aimed at supporting and encouraging young talents in the fields of acting and theatre. The festival began in 2016 under the supervision of the Actors' Syndicate, chaired by actor Ashraf Zaki. It focuses on presenting new theatrical works by young artists and provides an opportunity for emerging talents, alongside different generations of syndicate members, to showcase their artistic abilities through distinctive theatrical performances.
This year, 25 theatrical performances are competing for the festival's awards, selected from 80 entries. The performances will be held at the Al-Nahar Theatre, Galal Al-Sharqawi Theatre, Housaper Theatre, and the Falaki Theatre at the American University.
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