The Tunisian play "Al Harbat" directed by Wafa Taboubi has won the prestigious Yovan Cherilov award at the 59th Belgrade International Theatre Festival in Serbia. The festival took place from September 13 to 20, 2026. The award was announced by the Tunisian National Theatre, which stated that the jury praised the play for showing that theatre remains alive and transcends politics through imagination and exceptional precision in costumes, music, and performances.
The play "Al Harbat" also earned its director, Wafa Taboubi, the "Politika" newspaper award for best direction. The jury, led by Gordana Bobovitch, cited the play's unique theatrical poetry and complex directorial vision, which presented a story about waiting that has become a symbol of life. This made the decision to award the play a unanimous one, according to the Tunisian National Theatre's official page.
"Al Harbat" has previously won several awards, including the Grand Prize at the 16th Arab Theatre Festival in January 2026. The play also received the Golden Tanit, the top prize at the 26th Carthage Theatre Days, and the Grand Prize at the 3rd National Theatre Festival in Tunisia, "Moassam Al Ibdaa".
The play "Al Harbat" is a collaborative production between the Tunisian National Theatre and the Al-Ashtoura production company, with support from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Wafa Taboubi is credited with writing the script, directing, and designing the set. The play features six actors, including Fatma Ben Saidane, Monira Zekraoui, Lobna Noman, Amima Bahri, Sabrine Omar, and Osama Hannayni.
The story of "Al Harbat" unfolds in a mysterious theatre space resembling a waiting room, where five women and one man meet in anticipation of someone or something that never arrives. However, this waiting period evolves into an existential metaphor, as the characters seek meaning in a crumbling world, rather than simply searching for the absent person.
As the play progresses, the stage becomes a labyrinth of existential conflicts, where characters grapple with their own identities and those of others, questioning larger themes of identity, destiny, and the possibility of individual salvation in a collectively collapsing world.
The Tunisian National Theatre's success at the Belgrade International Theatre Festival highlights the country's rich cultural heritage and its contribution to the world of theatre. The play's awards and recognition demonstrate the excellence of Tunisian theatre and its ability to resonate with international audiences.
Key points
- The play "Al Harbat" won the Yovan Cherilov award at the 59th Belgrade International Theatre Festival.
- The play's director, Wafa Taboubi, also won the "Politika" newspaper award for best direction.
- The play has previously won several awards, including the Grand Prize at the 16th Arab Theatre Festival and the Golden Tanit at the 26th Carthage Theatre Days.
