The Tiro Association for Arts and Istanbouli Theatre have announced the 13th edition of the Lebanon International Theater Festival in Beirut, taking place from September 19 to 22. The festival will feature theatrical performances from Lebanon, the Arab world, and other countries under the theme “Theater is a spectacle that carries the concerns of society.”
This year’s edition pays tribute to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi in recognition of his significant contributions to Arab theater, including the establishment of the Arab Theatre Institute, his achievements in preserving Arab heritage and identity, and his longstanding support for Arab youth.
Actor and director Kassem Istanbouli, founder of the Lebanese National Theater, emphasized that “the festival aims to confront the reality of war in Lebanon and affirm the importance of keeping theater open to people in times of both war and peace.”
He added: “Thanks to the efforts of young volunteers, we continue to advance cultural decentralization and break down the imaginary barriers between Lebanon’s regions through the arts, connecting communities through cultural spaces. We are happy to see this dream come alive in Beirut with the establishment of the Lebanese National Theater at the historic Coliseum Cinema, following its establishment in Tyre and Tripoli. This represents an important achievement for Lebanese and Arab theater.”
Istanbouli received the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture in Paris and was appointed as a cultural adviser to the advisory board of the Cultural Exchange Foundation in Boston, United States. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, in recognition of his prominent cultural role in Lebanon and the Arab region, his work to promote cultural decentralization, and his commitment to the principle that art is a right for everyone.
The UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture is one of the leading international awards dedicated to Arab culture. It was established at the initiative of Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi, whose words, “Theater is a spectacle that carries the concerns of society,” inspired the theme of this year’s Lebanon International Theater Festival.
The jury selected Istanbouli in recognition of his pioneering work in rehabilitating and reopening several closed cinemas across Lebanon, establishing festivals, organizing training workshops, revitalizing cultural life, and promoting balanced cultural development. His work has also contributed to creating independent and free cultural spaces, broadening access to the arts, strengthening cultural dialogue, and promoting Arab culture internationally.
