Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre announces 33rd edition

The 33rd Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre, scheduled for September 1–8, 2026, will feature several programs highlighting Egyptian theatrical achievements. Under the presidency of Dr. Sameh Mehran, the festival will host the ‘Egyptian Directors Celebration’ program, showcasing international collaborations. This includes ‘Salma Habi Ana’, a joint Egyptian-Russian production directed by Ahmed El Attar, and ‘Happy Children’, an Egyptian-Swiss production directed by Omar Ghayat.

In collaboration with the National Center for Theater, Music and Folk Arts, the festival will also observe ‘Egyptian Theater Day’ on September 5. Led by Adel Hassan, the center will honor five prominent directors: Hossam El Din Salah, Hesham Gomaa, Hamdy Abu El-Ela, Abeer Ali, and Mohamed Gabr. The event will include a speech by writer Mohamed Salmawi.

Additionally, the National Center for Theater has reported significant progress in preserving Egyptian theatrical history, having filmed and documented 653 theatrical performances, including university, school, and festival productions, to serve as a resource for future researchers and artists.