Egyptian director Mazen El-Gharabawy participates in Avignon Festival activities - Stage & Street - Arts & Culture

Al-Ahram Weekly

5 days ago

Egyptian director and playwright Mazen El-Gharabawy took part in a roundtable held as part of this year's Avignon Festival (5–26 July), marking the only Egyptian theatre-maker participating in this year's Avignon Off programme.
This year's festival, celebrating the Arabic language through theatre, dance, and music, featured several events focused on the performing arts from the Arab region.
El-Gharabawy participated in three days of activities, which included a roundtable, speed networking, and a workshop he led with local participants.
Speaking to Ahram Online, El-Gharabawy described his connection with the Avignon Festival (Festival d'Avignon)—one of the world's most prestigious and oldest performing arts festivals—as beginning during his participation in the Adelaide Festival in March.
'We met in March, during the Adelaide Festival, a major arts festival held annually in Adelaide, South Australia. There, I presented my theatre activities, starting with the Sharm El-Sheikh International Theatre Festival for Youth (SITFY), through other festivals, and to plays I directed,' El-Gharabawy said, recalling his meeting with Harold David, Co-Chairman of Avignon Off.
The centrepiece of El-Gharabawy's theatrical work is SITFY, which he founded and continues to lead. The festival's 10th edition is scheduled for November under the slogan Theatre for Peace and Humanity. Over the years, SITFY has forged collaborations with numerous international theatre institutions and launched sister editions outside Egypt.
'At first, Harold suggested that I present Body, Teeth & Wig at Avignon Off,' El-Gharabawy said, referring to a play he wrote, directed, and designed. However, despite its minimal, portable scenography, the play still required a substantial budget for international touring, making its inclusion in this year's festival unfeasible.
El-Gharabawy noted that while the main Avignon In programme covers the cost of participating productions, Avignon Off relies on financial arrangements made by the artists themselves.
Body, Teeth & Wig premiered in South Korea in August 2024, and was later staged in India to two sold-out audiences. The play has since been in high demand from international festivals. 'We're already planning for Body, Teeth & Wig to appear at Avignon next year,' he added.
The play was previously performed in Egypt for two nights. It will return to the Cairo stage during the ongoing 18th edition of the Egyptian National Theatre Festival (20 July – 8 August), with performances scheduled at Hanager Theatre on 30 and 31 July.
Since presenting the play in Avignon wasn't possible this year, Harold David invited El-Gharabawy to participate in a series of events, including the round table and networking sessions.
'The round table was attended by renowned theatre practitioners,' El-Gharabawy said, adding that in addition to himself and Harold David, it featured directors of other major international festivals, including those from Edinburgh and Adelaide.
The discussions addressed the challenges of organizing theatre festivals in today's complex global context. El-Gharabawy shared insights on SITFY's programming, its participants, and its Academy Programmes, which offer workshops in both creative and technical aspects of theatre-making, led by Egyptian and international professionals.
'During our discussion, I also spent a big portion of time shedding light on the Egyptian contemporary theatre and in particular the new generation of theatre-makers,' he said.
El-Gharabawy also spoke about SITFY Poland, which he launched in Kraków in 2024 with a focus on monodrama; SITFY Georgia, inaugurated in Tbilisi in April and dedicated to duo-dramas; and upcoming plans for similar events in Bodajg (Hungary) and London (UK) by 2026.
Looking ahead, El-Gharabawy is working on a 2025–2030 strategic plan that includes launching festivals in Bordeaux (France), Madrid (Spain), Milan (Italy), and Berlin (Germany), as well as expanding international touring of theatrical productions.
'We are also strengthening our connections with Asia, now eyeing China and Sri Lanka, while continuing with South Korea,' he noted during his presentation.
El-Gharabawy consistently highlights the importance of his team. 'We are a full-fledged entity run by amazing people. We manage several international festivals. I owe a lot to everyone involved—I couldn't do any of this without their strong support and hard work,' he said, praising his collaborators, including SITFY Managing Director Engy El-Bestawy, international partners, and the many young people engaged in the network's activities.
El-Gharabawy's three-day stay at Avignon Off also included networking sessions and a workshop.
Always on the move, he has now returned to Egypt for a brief period, redirecting his focus to Body, Teeth & Wig, which will take the stage in Cairo this week.
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