Hammamet International Festival concludes theatrical segment with Sufi-themed play

The 2026 edition of the Hammamet International Festival concluded its theatrical segment with the performance of ‘Le Jardin des amants’, directed by Moez Achouri. The production explores themes of Sufism, spirituality, and the tensions between religious freedom and state authority.

The play follows Habib Ben Yazid, a spiritual leader guiding a group of disciples in exploring Sufi practices. Their activities draw scrutiny from authorities, who label the group a ‘clique,’ leading to an investigation. Through a minimalist staging involving movement, song, and music, the work examines notions of belief, citizenship, and the search for existential meaning.

Achouri noted that the open-air setting of the Hammamet theater, situated between the sky, land, and sea, enhanced the spiritual dimension of the performance. The festival’s anniversary edition featured 32 evenings of music, dance, and theater.