Cairo: “The Depths of the Soul,” a theatrical production from the UAE, is competing in the international competition at the Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre. This festival, in its 33rd edition, runs from September 1st to 8th, with its opening at the Cairo Opera House’s Main Hall. The opening will feature a dance performance titled “Life,” choreographed by Karima Badir, and festival performances will be showcased at various theaters across Cairo.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the UAE production, directed by Abdul Rahman Al Mulla and written by Ismail Abdullah, is among 16 productions vying for festival awards. It is produced by the Kalba Association for Folk Arts and Theatre. Other Arab productions in the competition include Tunisia’s “La Moudi,” Jordan’s “You Since Yesterday,” and Saudi Arabia’s “The Resurrectors.” This marks Al Mulla’s second appearance in this competition, having previously participated with “The Premature List” three years ago.

The festival also features ten international productions, including Switzerland’s “Icaro,” Germany’s “Children of Today,” and Spain’s “The Garden of the Hesperides.” Additionally, the festival has announced an intellectual theme, “Geo: Theatrical Experimentation,” with participation from 40 researchers across 11 countries. Another theme, “Paying it Forward,” will honor icons of Arab theater, including the late Egyptian director Saad Ardash and Sudanese playwright Youssef Eidabi.

The jury for the festival is chaired by Egyptian artist Riad El-Khouly and includes theater professionals from Tunisia, Bahrain, the United States, France, and North Macedonia. The festival will also celebrate prominent figures in theater from various countries, such as Kuwaiti writer and director Sulayman Al-Bassam, Sudanese playwright Dr. Yousef Eidabi, Lebanese director Lina Abyad, and several Egyptian artists and directors. Additionally, the festival will enrich the Arabic library by publishing 12 books encompassing a variety of research papers and texts.