Dr. Jabbar Joudi, President of the Iraqi Artists Syndicate and Head of the Baghdad International Theater Festival, confirmed that the sixth edition of the festival — dedicated to the esteemed artist Maimon Al-Khalidi — will be held from October 10 to 16.

Maimon Al-Khalidi is a renowned Iraqi actor, director, and academic whose influence extends deeply into both Iraqi and Arab theater. The festival is jointly organized by the Cinema and Theater Department and the Iraqi Artists Syndicate, and will take place across Baghdad’s major stages: the National Theater, Al-Rasheed Theater, and Al-Mansour Theater.

The festival administration has announced the list of participating plays, selected by the viewing and selection committee, representing various countries from around the world. The announcement of the Iraqi productions chosen by specialized committees is expected in the coming days.

Dr. Joudi, currently attending the Board of Trustees meetings of the Arab Theater Authority in Sharjah, stated that the festival will feature 15 theatrical performances: 3 Iraqi, 6 Arab, and 6 international, all to be staged on Baghdad’s theaters.

He added that the festival’s activities will also include morning seminars and critical sessions following the evening performances, as well as workshops and the publication of 15 books covering various aspects of theatrical arts.

Dr. Joudi emphasized that the festival will witness broad Arab and international participation alongside local performances, reinforcing Baghdad’s position on the global map of cultural and artistic events.

The United Arab Emirates will participate through the Umm Al Quwain National Theater with the play “Arj Al-Sawahil” (Limping Shores), written by Salem Al-Hatawi and directed by Issa Kaid.

Published by the National Iraqi News Agency

“Together we celebrate theater… Together we revive Baghdad” — this is the slogan of the sixth edition of the Baghdad International Theater Festival, which will kick off on October 10 and run until October 16, featuring the participation of Arab and international theater troupes.

This year’s edition is dedicated to the Iraqi playwright Maimon Al-Khalidi. The festival administration has announced the list of Arab and international theatrical performances included in this year’s program, comprising 13 plays to be staged across the National Theater, Al-Rasheed Theater, and Al-Mansour Theater.

🟠 Arab Performances (5 plays):

• From Morocco: “We Drink Then”, presented by the Cultural Center – City Stars troupe, written by Qasim Matroud and directed by Khaled Al-Zwaishi.
• From Tunisia: “Jacaranda”, presented by the Tunisian National Theater, written by Abdel Halim Masoud and directed by Nizar Al-Saeedi.
• From the UAE: “Coastal Limp”, presented by the Umm Al Quwain National Theater, written by Salem Al-Hatawi and directed by Issa Kaid.
• From Lebanon: “Two at Night”, presented by Jackbos Production, written and directed by Samer Hanna.
• From Palestine: “Feathers”, presented by Shaden Contemporary Dance Company, written and directed by Shaden Abu Al-Asal.

🟣 International Performances (7 plays):

• From Germany: “Behind God’s Feet”
• From India: “The Weaving Dance”
• From Iran: “Particles of Chaos”
• From Ukraine: “The Man Outside”, adapted from the play of the same name by German writer Wolfgang Borchert, a post-war German literary classic.
• From Poland: “Silence in Troy”
• From Italy: “Empty Ground”
• From Spain: “Garden of the Hesperides”, a Spanish-Moroccan production inspired by the myth of the Hesperides in Greek mythology.

The list of Arab and international participants has been announced, while the schedule of Iraqi performances will be released at a later date. The festival administration had opened submissions for the sixth edition from early May until early August, stipulating that each theater troupe should consist of no more than ten members.

It is worth noting that the fifth edition of the festival was held under the slogan “Theater Illuminates Life” and was dedicated to the Iraqi writer and academic Shafiq Al-Mahdi.