Closure of the 26th Edition of the JTC Festival
After a week of intense performances, which took over the stages of Tunis and attracted a large audience across various sections, including the official competition, Theatre of the World, Arab and African shows, Tunisian productions, and Theatre of Freedom, the curtain fell yesterday on an edition that opened on November 22.
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony was held at the Opera Theatre of the Chedly-Klibi City of Culture and broadcast live on the national channel. The national anthem was played in the hall before Chawki Khouja and Oumaima Manai took the stage for a performance titled "Al masrah" (The Theatre), which served as a prologue to the ceremony presented by the duo El Wathek Bellah Chakir and Samia Hammi. Oumaima danced while Chawki spoke, paying tribute to the noble and deeply human art of theatre.
A recap video highlighting the key moments of this 26th edition, including its shows, encounters, street life, and musical animations, was then projected.
Speech by the Director of the JTC
Invited to take the stage, Mohamed Mounir Argui, Director of the JTC, affirmed the festival's unwavering mission: to create joy, bring people together, and promote theatrical creation. He noted that the closing coincided with the World Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, recalling Tunisia's unwavering commitment to this cause.
He also saluted the festival's partners, artists, technical teams, and especially the public, who have been faithful year after year, before announcing that he was passing the torch to the next committee.
Tributes and Awards
The evening then gave way to tributes and awards, which were bestowed upon major figures in Tunisian theatre.
- Mohamed Massoud Idriss, an academic and former director of the Higher Institute of Dramatic Art, was celebrated for his exceptional career and reference works on Tunisian theatre.
- Abdelhamid Ben Ghayass, an iconic figure on stage and screen, received his award after interpreting an excerpt from "Wannes Lekloub" (1991) by Mohamed Driss. He saluted the great artist Mohamed Driss and addressed his thoughts to those who participated in this work, including the great actress Zahaira Ben Ammar.
- Leïla Toubel, a grande dame of theatre, presented an excerpt from her monodrama "Solwen" before thanking the public and the festival.
- Aziza Boulabiaar, a living legend of municipal theatre, offered a vibrant interpretation of an excerpt from Aziza Othmana.
- A ventriloquism performance by Mohamed Lakhouas and his puppet Jamil "Laâroussa" brought a humorous interlude, warmly welcomed by the audience.
Theatre of Freedom: A Unique Program
One of the significant moments of the evening was the awarding of prizes for the Theatre of Freedom, a program launched in 2017 in partnership with the General Directorate of Prisons and Rehabilitation. This initiative allows detainees from penitentiary institutions and young people from rehabilitation centers to present their creations on stage, promoting artistic expression, confidence, and reintegration.
This year, 16 works competed. The prizes, announced by Kaïs Manai and a jury composed of Najoua Miled, Lotfi Turki, Mohamed Ali Trabelsi, and Fathi Mahdaoui, rewarded:
- Rehabilitation Centers:
- Grand Prix: El Mourouj Minor Offenders Rehabilitation Center — "A Life Without Addiction," directed by Khaled Al-Amdouni and Seifeddine Oueslati.
- Second Prize: Souk Jedid Minor Offenders Rehabilitation Center — "Awlèd 'Arouch," directed by Mahmoud El-Ghabi.
- Third Prize: Sidi Al-Hani Minor Offenders Rehabilitation Center — "Secret Session," directed by Kholoud Al-Mathnani.
- Prison Institutions:
- Grand Prix: Borj Erroumi Civil Prison — "Sadd Aakel," directed by the detainees' unit.
- Second Prize: Manouba Women's Prison — "Al Hawia" (The Container), directed by Rebab El Bouzeidi.
- Third Prize: Ennadhour Civil Prison — "Moula El Bache," directed by Hamza Essennani.
National Journalists' Syndicate Award
The National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists awarded the Najiba Hamrouni Prize for Freedom of Expression, destined for Tunisian shows outside the competition, to the play "Znous" by Salah Hamouda, with a special mention to "Metamorphosis" by Kaïs Boulaâres.
Performance by Chawki Khouja and Oumaima
Another performance was offered by the duo composed of actor Chawki Khouja and dancer and choreographer Oumaima, titled "Al Moumathal" (The Actor). "Who am I... Dig, search for me everywhere. Maybe in failure, in powerlessness... maybe in love, yes, in love...", Chawki Khouja exclaimed, before being joined by Samia Hammi, whose delicate and luminous voice enveloped the stage with subtle emotion.
Official Competition Awards
The international jury, chaired by Lassaad Ben Abdallah and composed of Saade Aldaass (Kuwait), Malek Laakoun (Algeria), Abdon Fortunée (Congo), Thameur Arbid (Syria), and Imed El May (Tunisia), unveiled the awards among 12 shows from 11 countries:
- Best Female Interpretation: Lobna Noomane for "Les Fugueuses" (Tunisia)
- Best Male Interpretation: Ahmed Abou Zid for "Chute Libre" (Egypt)
- Best Text: Wafa Taboubi for "Les Fugueuses" (Tunisia)
- Best Scenography: "Le Mur" by Sinan Mohsen Al-Azzawi (Iraq)
- The Golden Tanit was awarded to "Les Fugueuses" by Wafa Taboubi, presented by Zahira Ben Ammar.
- The Silver Tanit was awarded to "Le Mur" (Iraq).
- The Bronze Tanit was awarded to "Jacaranda" by Nizar Saïdi (Tunisia).
