"Experimental 33" Honors Al-Bassam, and "Hayat" Poses Questions of Humanity

Maraf Al-Shammari: The Cairo International Festival of Experimental Theatre honored director and writer Sulaiman Al-Bassam during the opening of its 33rd edition, in recognition of his theatrical career, his significant contributions to the development of Arab theatrical discourse, his active presence on the international stage, and the openness of his work to global theatrical currents and experiments.

Al-Bassam’s honor came alongside a select group of Egyptian and international theatre practitioners, artists, and researchers, during the festival’s opening ceremony held two days ago at the Grand Theatre of the Egyptian Opera House. The event featured the performance “Hayat” (Life), directed and choreographed by Karima Beder, which highlighted the relationship between humans and themselves, the world around them, and the experiences and choices they undergo.

The performance relied on a series of overlapping dualities, juxtaposing life with death, love with war, time with memory, and power with freedom. These contrasts shaped the world of the performance and opened space for questions concerning human nature and the journey of seeking meaning.

The body formed a fundamental element in constructing the experience, alongside movement, silence, and speech. These elements converged to present a vision that transcended direct expression, revealing the transformations and conflicts humans experience during their journey. “Hayat” also explored the impact of various experiences on shaping human consciousness, through a symbolic world where emotions, memories, and conflicts intersect, forming humanity’s perspective on itself and its surrounding world.

It is worth noting that director and writer Sulaiman Al-Bassam is participating in the current edition of the festival, which runs until the 8th, as part of the training program through the workshop “From Text to Actor.” The workshop launched yesterday, with 20 trainees selected from 160 candidates comprising playwrights, directors, and theatre actors.