The return of the Arab Puppetry and Dolls Forum to Cairo after a multi-year hiatus confirms Egypt’s position as a hub for arts and cultural awareness, Culture Minister Ahmed Fouad Hanno said on Friday.
The fifth edition of the Arab Puppetry and Dolls Forum, which ran from Jan 21 to Jan 23, was organised by the Arab Theatre Institute in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture. The event was held under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and Hanno.
Hanno stated that the forum’s success is a direct extension of the results achieved during the 16th Arab Theatre Festival. He attributed the ongoing cultural momentum to the support provided by the Egyptian state, expressing gratitude to President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi for his sponsorship of the cultural movement and the Arab Theatre Festival. Hanno added that the President’s support reflects a belief in culture as a pillar for national awareness and the preservation of Egyptian identity.
The minister also praised the efforts of Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi in supporting Arab theatre and cultural initiatives, noting that his contributions have been instrumental in elevating Arab culture and establishing theatre as an intellectual platform for future generations.
Honours and Recognition
During the closing ceremony, Ismail Abdullah, Secretary-General of the Arab Theatre Institute, recognised the efforts of several key figures and officials who contributed to the event’s success. Amongst those honoured were Hisham Atwa, Head of the Theatre Sector at the Egyptian Ministry of Culture; Hussein Ali Haref from Iraq; Rachid Amhour of Morocco; and Imad al-Madyouni, Director of the National Centre for Puppetry in Tunisia.
The recognition extended to Egyptian cultural leaders including Mohamed Abdel Hafez Nassef, Head of the National Centre for Child Culture; Shady Sorour, Director of the Hanager Arts Centre; Enas Nour, Director of the National Children’s Theatre; Ali Abu Zeid of Bayt al-Suhaymi; and Osama Mohamed Ali, Director of the Cairo Puppet Theatre.
The forum highlighted a variety of regional performances, with awards presented to creators from across the Arab world. Habiba Jendoubi of Tunisia was recognised for the plays Atyaf and Kif Kif, while fellow Tunisians Hassan aA-Salami and Mohamed Youssef al-Akhous were noted for their respective works, The Ant and Peace and Beautiful Shadow. From the United Arab Emirates, Aisha al-Zarouni was honoured for the play Chairs, produced by the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation.
Egyptian contributions were also prominently featured, with honours going to Nassef Azmi for Box of Shadow and Fantasy, Reda Hassanin for Dewdrop, and Nadia al-Shuweikh for Dhat and the Red Cape. In a reciprocal gesture of appreciation, Jendoubi presented commemorative shields to Ismail Abdullah and Osama Mohamed Ali for their roles in advancing the Arab artistic movement.
The closing ceremony, hosted by artist Nashwa Hassan, included the screening of a documentary film documenting the forum’s various activities and initiatives. The three-day programme featured artistic and intellectual sessions designed to enhance interaction between creators and the public while promoting the development of puppetry across the Arab world.
