38th Edition of Neapolis Festival: A Celebration of Theater for Children
From December 21 to 28, the Neapolis Festival of Theater for Children will hold its 38th edition, transforming the city of Nabeul into an open stage where the imagination of young audiences meets the living arts and cultures from several continents.
A Cultural Reference Point
Founded in 1986, this cultural event has continued to grow, establishing itself as a major reference point in Tunisia and beyond, in the Arab world, North Africa, and the Mediterranean region. The festival's primary mission is to promote the living arts for young audiences and to integrate them into the heart of cultural life.
A Diverse and Inspiring Program
This new edition offers a rich and diverse program where theater, puppetry, dance, pantomime, circus, visual performances, and hybrid forms come together, providing children and their families with a vast field of artistic exploration. Companies from several continents, including Europe, Asia, the Arab world, and Africa, will gather in Nabeul, turning the city into a true crossroads of cultures, aesthetics, and scenic practices.
International Participation
Countries such as Italy, Bulgaria, Spain, Russia, Iran, China, Vietnam, Algeria, Egypt, Oman, Morocco, Palestine, and Iraq will be represented at the festival, which will feature 13 national shows, demonstrating the vitality of the Tunisian theater sector, the creativity of local companies, and the growing quality of productions dedicated to young audiences.
Training and Reflection
In addition to the performances, the Neapolis Festival will also offer a range of parallel activities, including workshops and creative workshops for children and students, seminars bringing together artists, experts, and educators, as well as professional meetings aimed at encouraging exchanges and cooperation between Tunisian and foreign companies.
Animating the City
The festival will also invest in public space with daily animations, including street performances, spontaneous performances, mascots, stilt walkers, and clowns, which will animate the city's neighborhoods and streets. The Little Carnival, scheduled for Monday, December 22, promises to be one of the highlights of this edition, a festive and colorful parade bringing together children, families, and troupes in a convivial and unifying atmosphere.
National Reach
Faithful to its mission of expanding access to culture, the festival will this year extend its presence to several governorates, including Sfax, Bizerte, Kairouan, Tunis, La Manouba, and Nabeul, affirming its national scope and willingness to reach new audiences.
International Diplomacy
Foreign delegations will be welcomed through dedicated evenings, cultural visits to discover Tunisian heritage, and an official ceremony at the Nabeul City Hall, all of which will provide opportunities for dialogue and strengthening ties between artists, institutions, and cultural actors.
A Reference Event
With its 38th edition, the Neapolis Festival of Theater for Children confirms its status as a reference event in the Tunisian cultural landscape and its unique place in the international network of young audience theater, driven by an ambitious program, a clear openness to the world, and a strong territorial anchor. The festival continues to pursue its mission of offering children a space for wonder, creation, and discovery, while contributing to the cultural radiance of Tunisia.
