This selection stems from Al-Jabali's unique theatrical stature in the Tunisian and Arab theatre scene. A pioneer, writer, actor, director, producer, mentor, and founder of a distinctive theatrical space and a continuous school of theatre education for nearly forty years, Al-Jabali's work will be a culmination of his contributions.

Renowned author

Each year, Arab Theatre Day features a message from one of the leading figures of Arab theatre. This year, we will hear the essence of the discourse of this experienced playwright, author of "Kalam Al-Layl" (Night Talk), "Al-Dinosaur" (The Dinosaur), "Al-Majnoun" (The Madman), "Thalathin Wa Ana Hayir Feek" (Thirty and I'm Confused About You), and numerous other works that embody his unique vision of the form and content of theatre, shaping an influential theatrical consciousness across generations.

Furthermore, Al-Jabali, author of "Last Al-Tarbi Al-Sadiq" (I Am Not the Right Playwright) and "Al-Mawazi Fi Akhbar Al-Tarshazi" (Parallel in News of Dissonant Theatre, and Other Neglected Works), represents a special case in Arab theatre. He has established his theatre as an independent institution, producing a free intellectual and aesthetic discourse. Al-Jabali joins a constellation of influential figures in the Arab world who have contributed immensely to knowledge through their writings, from Yaqoub Shadrawi to Samiha Ayoub, Ezz El-Din Al-Madani, Youssef Al-Ani, Suad Abdullah, Thuraya Jabran, Sheikh Sultan Al-Qasimi, Youssef Ayedabi, Zinati Qudsia, Hatem El-Sayed, Farhan Bulbul, Sayed Ahmed Aqoumi, Khalifa Al-Arifi, Ismail Abdullah, Rafiq Ali Ahmed, Jawad Al-Asadi, Nidal Al-Ashqar, Fathi Abdel Rahman, and Sameh Mehran.

Significant addition

It is worth noting that Al-Jabali will deliver his message at the opening of the 17th Arab Theatre Festival, organised by the Arab Theatre Institute in Jordan in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and the Jordanian Artists Association, from January 10 to 16, 2027.

The Secretary-General of the Arab Theatre Institute, Ismail Abdullah, stated on this occasion: “The creative Tawfiq Al-Jabali is a significant addition to the important path this initiative has charted since its inception. The Institute is keen to ensure that these great figures illuminate the path of theatre with their brilliant ideas, and we will have an important encounter with Al-Jabali, who will light the torch of 2027 with his wealth of creative and human experience, the impact of which we all know.”