15 Theater Productions Competing from November 7-14, 2024
The Tunisian National Theater (TNT), in partnership with the Abdelwaheb Ben Ayed Foundation (FABA) and Microcred SA, is hosting the second edition of the Tunisian National Theater Festival, titled "Seasons of Creativity," from November 7 to 14, 2024. This year’s festival will feature 15 recent productions created between December 2023 and October 2024, competing for the 2024 edition awards.
On Tuesday, the organizing committee held a press conference to announce the program, selected plays, and other activities for this second edition. The selected productions, chosen from 30 submissions, will compete for a total prize pool of 80,000 TND. These awards are distributed as follows: Best Direction, Best Playwriting, Best Scenography, Best Female Performance, and Best Male Performance, each carrying a 10,000 TND prize. Additionally, the prestigious "Grand Prize for Tunisian Theatrical Creation" is valued at 30,000 TND.
The viewing and selection committee, led by journalist Lotfi Arbi Snoussi, includes Sonia Zarg Ayouna, Taoufik El Ayeb, and Seif Ferchichi. Meanwhile, the festival’s jury, headed by Raouf Ben Amor, includes Abdelwahed Mabrouk, Souad Ben Slimane, and Basma Ferchichi.
In addition to the theater performances, the festival will host a conference on November 9-10 titled "Tunisian Theater and Its New Creative Challenges," featuring discussions on four main topics: "Theater and Its New Content," "Theater and the Future," "Theatrical Writing and New Dramaturgies," and "Theater Criticism Through the Creators’ Lens."
The program also includes a photography exhibition by Kais Ben Farhat titled "Monologue / Monochrome," which will be displayed at the 4th Art Hall. Documenting several Tunisian plays over the past eight years, the exhibition offers theater enthusiasts an opportunity to view key moments from these productions. Additionally, theater photography masterclasses will be conducted by photographer Kais Ben Farhat.
Given the importance of video in documenting theater, a workshop titled “Theater Filming and Documentation” led by Nidhal Guiga, and another titled "Writing, Analysis, and Theater Critique," directed by Faouzia Mezzi, will also be offered.
In collaboration with FABA, the Tunisian National Theater will award incentive prizes to the top participants in these workshops, with a total of 4,500 TND (1,500 TND per prize).
Representatives of FABA and Microcred SA, Loubna Rourou and Nour Hamza, emphasized the vital role both organizations play in supporting culture and arts in Tunisia. They also highlighted the importance of nurturing creativity in theater and the arts, noting that Tunisian theater occupies a prominent position internationally. Stressing the value of collaboration between cultural sector partners, they explained that this support extends beyond financial aspects; it is rooted in a belief in art's role in economic and social development.
In this context, they discussed the concept of the "orange economy" (or creative economy), illustrating how the arts and theater can contribute significantly to economic growth while fostering sustainable development in these sectors. FABA and Microcred SA reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the arts and theater in Tunisia, applauding the collaborative efforts to ensure the success of this theatrical event.
Finally, the representatives underscored the importance of culture and arts for economic and societal growth, as well as the critical role of partnerships between cultural and economic institutions in achieving shared objectives. They also emphasized the need to support artists and cultural projects to ensure the continuity of creativity and innovation in Tunisia.
The 15 selected plays for the second edition of the Tunisian National Theater Festival – *Seasons of
Creativity*, will be showcased at the Palais du Théâtre-Halfaouine and the 4th Art Hall.
Here is the list:
"Kaat Intidhar" (Waiting Room) - Gouna
Produced by: International Cultural Center of Hammamet (CCIH)
Direction: Hammadi Louhaïbi,
Text: Boukthir Douma
supported by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs
Text: Elyes Rebhi
supported by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs
Text: Donia Mnassriya
Production: Houssine Ben Abdelkrim
Text: Mounir Amari
Produced by: Plaisir Production and Distribution,
supported by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs
Text and Direction: Marouane Missaoui
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