Egyptian National Theatre Festival opens 19th edition in Mansoura

The 19th edition of the Egyptian National Theatre Festival began in Mansoura under the chairmanship of artist Mohamed Riyad. The event is sponsored by Dr. Jihan Zaki, Minister of Culture, and coordinated with Governor Tarek Marzouk.

The programme features ten specialised workshops covering acting, directing, playwriting, scenography, costume design and diction, plus children’s workshops. Master‑class sessions with prominent figures such as Suhair Al‑Murshidi, Samah Al‑Surti, Ahmed Wafiq and writer Walid Yusuf aim to transfer expertise to young theatre practitioners. In partnership with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, the festival includes inclusive workshops and awareness seminars for people with disabilities. Performances include “Hawadit” by Khaled Galal, “One Hundred and Thirty Pieces” by Mohamed Farag and “Girl of the Metro”, complemented by concerts from the Joanna Chorus. Awards were presented to cultural icons Walid Yusuf, Ahmed Wafiq and Sabri Nasif in recognition of their contributions to Egyptian theatre.