Khalifa-Stambouli Festival Returns from December 6 to 13 in Monastir with an Edition Celebrating Stage, Tribute, and Innovation
The Regional Delegation of Cultural Affairs in Monastir announced, during a press conference held on Monday evening, the program for the 29th edition of the Khalifa-Stambouli Theater Festival, scheduled to take place from December 6 to 13.
Festival Program
The festival will begin on December 6 on the esplanade of the cultural complex with a "Quass" (flash mob) performance, followed by a mapping titled "Theatrical Emanations" projected onto the facade of the complex, designed by Mouna Hafidh. The exhibition hall will also host a photographic exhibition titled "In Memory of..." in tribute to the late artist Khalifa-Stambouli, as well as an exhibition of photos and posters of Fadhel Jaziri's works.
The opening will continue with an open workshop for creating artistic portraits of the deceased, with the participation of several artists. On the same evening, the inaugural performance "Theater Memory" will be presented, a production of the festival directed by Talel Ayoub, followed by an interactive meeting titled "In the Presence of Theater: Inspiring Experiences" with the participation of Fatma Ben Saïdene, Abdelhalim Massoudi, Mounira Zekraoui, Wafa Taboubi, and Moncef Mehni, as well as testimonials from regional playwrights.
Official Competition
The official competition performances will begin on December 7 with the play "Les Fugueuses," directed by Wafa Taboubi. On December 8, the performance "Jacaranda" will be presented, written and dramatized by Abdelhalim Massoudi and directed by Nizar Saâdi, while on December 9, "Le Troupeau" will be performed, a production directed by Hammadi Mezzi.
Out-of-Competition Performances
The out-of-competition performances will start on December 7 with "Les Illusions de la Forêt" by the Theatrical Research Association of Teboulba, followed by "Les Trois Nains" in Sahline, and then "La Fleur de la Vie" in Jemmal. On December 11, two plays by the Higher Institute of Dramatic Art will be presented at the University Cultural Center and the Moknine Cultural House.
Closing Performances
The performances will conclude on December 13 with "Ghadhab" (Anger) by the Monastir Center for Dramatic and Scenic Arts, as well as "Bourashka" by the Theatrical Renaissance Association.
Parallel Program
The parallel program includes a mural fresco workshop titled "Les Lieux ont des Histoires" on December 4 in Houmet Errabet, and a training session on "Voice and Interpretation Dynamics in Theater" from December 5 to 7. On December 7 and 8, a workshop on digital scenography and video mapping techniques will be held, led by Dr. Mouna Hafidh.
A debate will take place on December 8, titled "Digital Mutations and Artificial Intelligence and their Impact on Theatrical Creation," with the participation of academics and critics, as well as technical contributions.
On December 10, a meeting titled "Feminine Perspectives on Theater" will be held, followed on December 12 by "When Absence Speaks... Letters of Fidelity," in tribute to the late artists Fadhel Jaziri and Anouar Chaâfi.
Various workshops will also be organized for children and young people in several cultural houses and libraries in the region, focusing on the art of storytelling, drawing, orality, dramatic writing, Chinese shadows, mask-making, as well as a workshop on using artificial intelligence to produce a video tracing the career of Khalifa Stambouli.
Interactive meetings will take place in several delegations of the governorate from December 7 to 13, around the theatrical memory of the late Khalifa Stambouli and his influence on Tunisian theater.
The festival will conclude on December 13 on the esplanade of the cultural complex with artistic performances proposed by different associations and cultural institutions, followed by the projection of a video highlighting the key moments of this 29th edition.
