Egypt’s President sponsors launch of 16th Arab Theatre Festival

October 15, 2025 / 8:44 PM

Sharjah 24: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is officially sponsoring the 16th edition of the Arab Theatre Festival, set to take place in Cairo from January 10 to 16, 2026, in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture.

Secretary-General of the Arab Theatre Authority, Ismail Abdullah, described the sponsorship as a meaningful gesture, reflecting Egypt’s deep appreciation for theatre, culture, and major Arab events held on its soil.

Previous support and ongoing commitment

Abdullah recalled that the 11th edition of the festival in 2019 also received generous sponsorship in Egypt, highlighting the country’s ongoing commitment to supporting Arab theatre.

Expanded activities across governorates

He noted that preparations for the 16th edition are progressing rapidly, in coordination with various departments of the Ministry of Culture and related institutions. This edition will stand out by presenting performances and workshops in multiple governorates beyond Cairo, expanding the festival's reach and impact.

A turning point in Arab Theatre criticism

A key feature of the event is the intellectual conference on theater criticism, titled "Towards a Scientific Foundation for the Arab Theater Criticism Project." The conference has attracted 60 research papers, now under evaluation, and is expected to mark a significant shift in Arab theater criticism.

Guided by the vision of Sharjah’s Ruler

Abdullah emphasised that the Authority is working to achieve the ambitious cultural vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and Supreme President of the Arab Theatre Authority. His Highness recently instructed the Board of Trustees to enhance the role of theatre in Arab societies.

New initiatives to nurture Arab talent

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah launched two key initiatives to promote theatre across the region. The first is an Arab School Theatre Festival, in cooperation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation and various Arab ministries of education.

The second is the "Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Award for Youth Theatre Excellence," dedicated to supporting young talents in the Arab theatre scene. Work is currently underway to develop and launch both initiatives.