Egyptian National Theater Festival Opens Its 19th Edition With “Safar” Performance Celebrating Egyptian Identity 🎭✨

The 19th edition of the Egyptian National Theater Festival is set to begin with a grand opening ceremony at Cairo Opera House, featuring “Safar,” a visual performance directed by Walid Aouni that celebrates Egypt’s cultural diversity and theatrical journey across the country.

  Sat , July 25 2026 / 03:58 PM Updated At: 2026-07-25 15:58:23

افتتاح المهرجان القومي للمسرح المصري الدورة 19 بعرض سفر في دار الأوبرا المصرية

🎭 Egyptian National Theater Festival Launches Its 19th Edition

The Egyptian National Theater Festival is preparing to launch its 19th edition under the presidency of actor Mohamed Riyad, with a major opening ceremony at the Grand Theater of Cairo Opera House.

The event will be held under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Culture, with the attendance of officials, artists, intellectuals, and theater professionals.

Media presenter Reham Ibrahim will host the opening ceremony.


🌟 “Safar” Opens the Festival

The opening performance titled “Safar” is designed and directed by Walid Aouni, featuring members of the festival’s movement expression workshop led by Karima Badeer.

✨ The performance explores the festival’s vision of expanding theatrical activities beyond Cairo and reaching different Egyptian governorates.


🧳 A Visual Journey Across Egypt

“Safar” relies on movement, visual composition, and scenography rather than traditional storytelling.

The suitcase represents travel, while moving fabrics create images inspired by the Nile, the sea, and Egypt’s landscapes.

The performance takes audiences through different Egyptian environments, including Upper Egypt, Nubia, Alexandria, and rural traditions.


🎬 Cast and Creative Team

The production includes several artists and creators, including:

  • Karima Badeer
  • Yasser Shaalan
  • Mahdi El Sayed
  • Ali Yousry
  • Yasmin Badawy

The performance features Ahmed Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Mohamed Ahmed, Reda Ibrahim, Manal Bekir, Ibrahim Khaled, Malak Romany, and others.


🏆 Honoring Egyptian Theater Icons

The festival will honor several major figures, including:

✨ Esaad Younis
✨ Shahira
✨ Ahmed Abdel Aziz
✨ Ahmed Maher
✨ Magdy Megahed

The recognition celebrates their contributions to Egyptian theater and arts.


🎭 A New Celebration of Egyptian Theater

The 19th edition continues the festival’s mission of celebrating Egyptian theatrical creativity.

With “Safar” as its opening performance, the event highlights Egypt’s cultural diversity and the power of theater as a form of artistic expression.

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