The 14th Maghrebi Children's Theater Festival began on October 25, 2026, in Nabeul, Tunisia, with the theme "Theater for Every Child." The festival will run for three days, featuring theatrical performances from Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, as well as a judging panel from Libya and Mauritania. The event is organized in partnership with the Nabeul Cultural Center, which will host the various performances.
The festival program includes four Tunisian theatrical performances, two Algerian performances, and one Moroccan performance, as well as an entertaining show for children. According to Fuaz Ben Krim, director of the festival, the event aims to promote interaction between the audience and theater through various workshops, including sessions on storytelling, dramatic expression, and clowning.
The workshops will be led by experienced professionals, including Salih Al-Jadi, Sahar Al-Mallemi, and Nizar Abd al-Razzaq Al-Kashou. These sessions aim to encourage children to engage with live performances and appreciate the value of cultural and artistic experiences. The festival also seeks to provide a platform for children to discover diverse theatrical experiences, including performances in Algerian and Moroccan dialects.
This year's festival focuses on children's theater, with the goal of encouraging young people to engage with live performances and move away from screen-based entertainment. The event also aims to promote interaction between children and cultural and artistic works, allowing them to share in the joy of these experiences. The festival's theme, "Theater for Every Child," reflects this focus on accessibility and inclusivity.
The festival will also honor Tunisian artist Salih Al-Jadi, recognizing his contributions to Tunisian and university theater, particularly in the field of children's theater. This tribute aligns with the festival's theme and highlights the importance of acknowledging the work of theater practitioners who focus on children's theater and pedagogy.
Prior to the festival's launch, several artists were honored for their contributions to theater and performing arts, including Wahid Maghdeesh and Aida Al-Falih from Tunisia, Lahcen Batka and Mohamed Brik Al-Shawsh from Algeria, Meryem Al-Salkh Al-Hassan from Mauritania, and Zouheir Bertal from Morocco. These recognitions aim to promote communication among Maghrebi artists and exchange theatrical experiences within the region.
Key points
- The festival features performances from Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, as well as a judging panel from Libya and Mauritania.
- The event includes workshops on storytelling, dramatic expression, and clowning, led by experienced professionals.
- The festival honors Tunisian artist Salih Al-Jadi for his contributions to children's theater.
