Actress Amira Shawky, Director of the Shakmagia Theater Foundation, has called for the creation of a dedicated division for artists with disabilities within Egypt’s Actors’ Syndicate, aiming to provide fair representation and equal opportunities for talented performers.
Speaking during the activities of the 19th National Egyptian Theater Festival, Shawky stressed that artists with disabilities possess remarkable talents and should be viewed as professional performers rather than participants in symbolic inclusion initiatives.
She explained that expanding accessibility within Egypt’s cultural institutions should include allowing performers with disabilities to become active members of professional unions, ensuring equal rights and career opportunities alongside other artists.
Responding to Shawky’s proposal, veteran actress Wafaa El Hakim noted that the Academy of Arts already welcomes talented students with disabilities and that many theater institutions also provide opportunities for them. She clarified, however, that membership in the Actors’ Syndicate is granted only after applicants successfully pass the required professional examinations.
The discussion took place during the opening ceremony of the 19th National Egyptian Theater Festival, which honored several distinguished figures in Egyptian theater and entertainment, including actress and TV personality Essad Younis, actress Shahira, actors Ahmed Abdel Aziz and Ahmed Maher, director Magdy Megahid, theater critic Dr. Hamdy El Gabry, and director Ahmed El Banhawy.
The festival opened with a theatrical performance titled "Safar" (Journey), created and directed by Walid Aouni. The production featured members of the festival’s movement workshop and presented a visual journey inspired by the festival’s mission of bringing theater and culture to Egypt’s governorates beyond Cairo.
Walid Aouni explained that the performance relied on choreography, scenography, lighting, and visual storytelling to celebrate Egypt’s cultural diversity, presenting a symbolic journey through the country’s different regions while highlighting the importance of theater as a bridge connecting communities.
Calls for greater inclusion of performers with disabilities continue to gain momentum within Egypt’s cultural sector, reflecting growing efforts to ensure accessibility, equal opportunities, and professional recognition for talented artists, while creating a more inclusive and sustainable theatrical environment.
