The fifth Arab Puppetry and Dolls Forum concluded in Cairo on Friday after a multi-year hiatus, affirming Egypt's role as a hub for arts and cultural awareness, Culture Minister Ahmed Fouad Hanno said.
The fifth edition of the Arab Puppetry and Dolls Forum took place in Cairo from January 21 to 23, organized by the Arab Theatre Institute in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture. It was held under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and Culture Minister Ahmed Fouad Hanno.
Hanno described the forum's success as a continuation of achievements from the 16th Arab Theatre Festival. He credited the momentum to state support, thanking President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi for sponsoring the cultural movement and viewing culture as a foundation for national awareness and preserving Egyptian identity. The minister also commended Sheikh Sultan's contributions to Arab theatre, which he said elevate Arab culture and position theatre as an intellectual platform for future generations.
At the closing ceremony, Ismail Abdullah, Secretary-General of the Arab Theatre Institute, honored several contributors, including Hisham Atwa, Head of the Theatre Sector at the Egyptian Ministry of Culture; Hussein Ali Haref from Iraq; Rachid Amhour from Morocco; and Imad al-Madyouni, Director of the National Centre for Puppetry in Tunisia. Egyptian figures recognized included Mohamed Abdel Hafez Nassef, Head of the National Centre for Child Culture; Shady Sorour, Director of the Hanager Arts Centre; Enas Nour, Director of the National Children’s Theatre; Ali Abu Zeid of Bayt al-Suhaymi; and Osama Mohamed Ali, Director of the Cairo Puppet Theatre.
The forum awarded creators from across the Arab world, such as Tunisia's Habiba Jendoubi for the plays Atyaf and Kif Kif, Hassan al-Salami for The Ant and Peace, and Mohamed Youssef al-Akhous for Beautiful Shadow. From the United Arab Emirates, Aisha al-Zarouni was honored for Chairs, produced by the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation. Egyptian honorees included Nassef Azmi for Box of Shadow and Fantasy, Reda Hassanin for Dewdrop, and Nadia al-Shuweikh for Dhat and the Red Cape. In appreciation, Jendoubi presented commemorative shields to Abdullah and Ali for advancing the Arab artistic movement.
Hosted by artist Nashwa Hassan, the closing featured a documentary screening on the forum's activities. The three-day program included artistic and intellectual sessions to foster interaction between creators and audiences while promoting puppetry development in the Arab world.
