The fourth edition of the Eazees International Women’s Theatre Festival kicked off on Friday at Al-Samer Theatre in Agouza, Cairo. The festival was opened with a ceremony celebrating Egyptian actress Sanaa Gamil and honouring four women artists and cultural figures for their contributions to the arts. A film tracing Gamil's artistic career was screened during the opening ceremony, highlighting her contribution to Egyptian performing arts.
The fourth edition of the festival is dedicated to the memory of Sanaa Gamil, one of Egypt’s prominent actors, whose career spanned theatre, cinema, and television. The evening also included a musical tribute to the late actress and theatre-maker Malak Mohamed, founder of Malak Theatre. Singer Mervat El-Gesry performed a selection of theatrical songs associated with Mohamed’s musical productions.
Festival president Abeer Lotfy said the decision to dedicate the edition to Gamil reflects the actress’s distinctive place in Egyptian theatre and her journey from Minya to Cairo, where she established herself as one of the country’s leading performers. She also expressed the festival’s hope that the fourth edition would encourage greater audience participation.
The festival honoured actress Samah Anwar, poet Kawthar Mostafa, artist and academic Nevine Allouba, and theatre critic and scholar Samia Habib for their contributions to the arts, culture, and creative practice. Egypt-based NGO Misr El Kheir was also honoured for its work supporting women-related causes. Although Anwar was present at Al-Samer Theatre for the opening ceremony, she did not come on stage to receive her honour when her name was announced.
The festival's artistic director Abir Aly said the name Eazees, referring to the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis, evokes ideas of fertility, love, resistance, and safety. She said the festival continues to provide women artists with a space to present their experiences, voices and stories, describing theatre as a space for encounters, expression, and imagining a more just and inclusive world.
The festival runs from 25 September to 2 October, featuring 13 Egyptian and five international productions from countries including the UAE, Italy, the UK, Switzerland, and Austria, as well as a regional production involving artists from Palestine and Jordan. The programme also includes workshops, panel discussions, the Nehad Selaiha Incubator for theatre projects under development, and the Fatheya Al-Assal Playwriting Competition.
The festival’s programme is being held at several Cairo venues, including Al-Hanager Theatre, Nehad Selaiha Theatre, Al-Samer Theatre, the Academy of Arts, and the Supreme Council of Culture. It also places emphasis on accessibility, with selected venues equipped for wheelchair users and Arabic text and subtitles provided for hearing-impaired audiences.
Key points
- The festival was opened with a ceremony celebrating Egyptian actress Sanaa Gamil.
- The festival features 13 Egyptian and five international productions.
- The festival runs from 25 September to 2 October.
