The International Isis Festival for Women’s Theatre honored 12 theatrical artists from Egypt and Arab countries during the opening ceremony of its second edition, named after the artist Aida Abdel Aziz. The honorees included writer Fathyia Al-Assal, whose award was received by her daughter, artist Safaa Al-Toukhi; the late artist Shweikar, with her award accepted by artist Elham Shahin; Dr. Hoda Wasef, with the award presented to writer Rasha Abdel Moneim; Dr. Nagat Ali; and director and composer Iman Salah Al-Din, whose award was received by artist Salah Bagato. Other honorees included Aida Abdel Aziz, whose award was accepted by her son; Iraqi artist Awatef Naeem; Tunisian artist Raja Ben Ammar; Dr. Mahmoud Nasim; artist Suham Bent Sonia and Abdul Salam, whose award was received by her daughter artist Naglaa Younis; and artist Karima Mansour.
Elham Shahin, the honorary president of the International Isis Festival for Women’s Theatre, stated during the opening ceremony: "I hope we enjoy the exciting performances during the second edition as all of them are of high thought and culture. I am honored to be the honorary president for Women’s Theatre, as I am biased toward theatre and women, and I support the festival wholeheartedly. I thank everyone who supports it. Theatre is the father of arts, and I always take pride in being a graduate of the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts. Theatre has taught me to love art and respect words, and Egyptian women, in particular, since ancient Egyptian civilization, have been among the strongest women."
Festival Director Abeer Lotfy said: "We meet in the theatre for the second time as the International Isis Festival for Women’s Theatre launches with your support, and it will continue to exist because of you. This festival has faced many difficulties, but its founders faced them with strength. I hope we always gather in theatre and for theatre."
A number of artists attended the opening ceremony of the second edition of the International Isis Festival for Women’s Theatre, including artists Safa Al-Toukhi, honorary president Elham Shahin, Karima Mansour, Mohamed Ali Rizk, Heba Abdel Ghaany, Aida Fahmy, Nourhan, Mohamed Youssef Ouzo, along with a group of Arab, foreign, and Egyptian theatre practitioners.
The festival is organized by the Jara Al-Qamar Foundation, a non-profit cultural organization, and is held under the auspices of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture.
