Souad Khalil | Libya

This article explores the vision, cultural dimensions, artistic program, and human values embodied in the first edition of Cyrene Theatre Days. Held in the historic city of Shahhat, ancient Cyrene, the festival seeks to establish a unique cultural experience that connects theatre with heritage and transforms historical spaces into living arenas for creativity, dialogue, and the preservation of collective memory.

Through these three articles, the reader is invited to discover the festival’s intellectual foundations, its diverse artistic and cultural activities, and its commitment to honoring the individuals who have contributed to preserving heritage and enriching cultural life. Together, they present a portrait of a cultural project that draws inspiration from the past while looking confidently toward the future

At a time when cultural transformations are accelerating and the need to reclaim memory and safeguard identity is becoming increasingly urgent, initiatives that seek to reconnect people with their place and history emerge as projects that transcend the limits of ordinary cultural activity to become a civilizational act carrying profound intellectual and human dimensions. It is from this perspective that the first edition of Cyrene Theatre Days is launched in the city of Shahhat, a city that embraces within its landscape one of the most significant historical centers of the Mediterranean region. The festival seeks to establish a new artistic experience based on heritage as a source of creativity and a point of departure for dialogue with the present.

The festival is held under the slogan “Dramatizing Heritage in Open Spaces,” a slogan that reflects far more than an artistic orientation. It embodies an integrated cultural vision that seeks to move theatre beyond enclosed halls into the vastness of historical and natural sites, where the place itself becomes part of the theatrical performance and an active element in shaping its aesthetic and intellectual dimensions. Ruins, temples, and ancient squares are not used merely as silent backdrops to events; rather, they become living partners in the creation of meaning and the evocation of memory.

The importance of this experience stems from the unique character of Shahhat—historical Cyrene—which stands among the most prominent archaeological cities in Libya and the world. It preserves a rich human and civilizational legacy that reflects the succession of civilizations and the interaction of cultures over many centuries. Through this festival, heritage becomes part of contemporary artistic practice, while archaeological sites are transformed into spaces for contemplation, creativity, and human interaction.

The festival’s mission extends beyond presenting theatrical performances in open-air settings. It seeks to establish a cultural project that promotes awareness of both tangible and intangible heritage and highlights its role in shaping national and cultural identity. The festival also aims to invigorate cultural and tourism activity in the region and to open new horizons for artists and researchers to engage with history as a source of inspiration and creativity.

The vision of the festival is to become a leading cultural platform that connects performing arts with heritage and contributes to the rediscovery of historical sites through a new cultural and aesthetic perspective. It also aspires to become an annual gathering that brings together theatre practitioners, researchers, and those interested in culture and heritage from across Libya and the Arab world, thereby strengthening the presence of Shahhat and Cyrene on the regional and international cultural map.

Believing in the role of culture in preserving collective memory, the festival administration has chosen the writer and researcher Daoud Hallaq as the Personality of the First Edition, in recognition of his long-standing contributions to national culture, the documentation of popular memory, and the preservation of local heritage. This choice serves as a tribute to one of the figures who devoted his efforts to safeguarding the city’s cultural identity and to fostering awareness of the value and historical significance of place.

The launch of the first edition of Cyrene Theatre Days is not merely an addition to Libya’s calendar of cultural festivals; it is a serious attempt to establish a sustainable project that restores the relationship between art and heritage, and between people and place. It is a project that draws upon the past not to remain captive to it, but to transform it into a bridge toward the future, offering younger generations an opportunity to discover their history through the language of art and creativity.

Amid the ancient columns of Cyrene and the open spaces of Shahhat, the story of a festival begins—a festival that believes in memory as a force for life and in theatre as an art capable of reviving place and granting it a renewed presence within contemporary cultural consciousness.

Between Theatre and Heritage… A Cultural and Artistic Program Enriching Cyrene Theatre Days

Cyrene Theatre Days is not limited to presenting theatrical performances in open spaces. Rather, it seeks to establish a comprehensive cultural event that brings together art, knowledge, and heritage, offering audiences the opportunity to engage with diverse forms of creativity in one of the most historically significant cities in Libya and the region.

With this vision in mind, the festival administration has designed a rich cultural and artistic program that accompanies the theatrical performances and provides them with an intellectual and educational dimension. The program is based on the belief that theatre does not exist in isolation from its cultural environment but is nourished by history, memory, and the various forms of artistic expression.

The intellectual component occupies a central place within the activities of the first edition. Through a series of thematic discussions, the festival explores the relationship between theatre, heritage, and collective memory. These sessions address issues such as the incorporation of cultural heritage into dramatic writing and the delicate balance between documentation and artistic creativity in dealing with traditional sources. Such themes open the door to stimulating intellectual debates that contribute to the development of theatrical practice and enrich its expressive tools.

Within the same framework, the festival hosts a scientific conference under the title “Cultural Heritage Sites Between Awareness, Development, and Intangible Heritage.” The conference aims to highlight the importance of heritage sites as an essential component of cultural identity and to emphasize the necessity of preserving and investing in them as resources for cultural and tourism development. It also provides an opportunity for researchers, specialists, and cultural practitioners to exchange experiences, ideas, and perspectives.

Among the festival’s most notable intellectual activities is the public seminar “Cyrene Without a Museum,” which raises a highly significant issue concerning the state of local heritage and the need to establish a museum that reflects the historical and civilizational importance of Cyrene. Such an institution would enable younger generations to discover the extraordinary cultural and human legacy preserved within this ancient city.

Recognizing that cultural engagement should extend beyond theoretical discussion, the festival has organized a series of training workshops aimed at artists and theatre enthusiasts. One workshop focuses on acting in open historical sites, exploring the unique relationship between performer and place and examining how natural and archaeological elements can become integral parts of a performance’s dramatic structure. Another workshop, dedicated to heritage-inspired playwriting, encourages participants to draw upon historical and folkloric sources in creating contemporary theatrical texts.

Alongside its theatrical and intellectual activities, the festival embraces the visual arts through a variety of exhibitions featuring painting, sculpture, photography, and traditional crafts. These exhibitions seek to showcase the cultural and aesthetic diversity of the region while providing artists and artisans with a platform to present their work in an environment where art and heritage meet.

Traditional heritage also finds a strong presence through the “Cyrene Market,” which features handmade crafts, herbs, honey, sculptures, and a wide range of artistic products. The market serves as a window onto local heritage and reinforces the role of traditional crafts as an essential element of the community’s cultural identity.

The evening events add a special festive and human dimension to the festival. As night falls, the city transforms into an open space for art and dialogue through cultural and artistic gatherings that bring together music, poetry, cultural testimonies, and open discussions with artists and theatre makers. Folkloric performances inspired by the spirit of the place further enrich the program, reflecting the features of its collective memory and cultural heritage.

The diversity of these activities demonstrates that Cyrene Theatre Days is far more than a festival of theatrical performances. It is a comprehensive cultural project that seeks to foster interaction between art, knowledge, and heritage while transforming the historic city into an open space for creativity and cultural exchange. Through this integrated program, the festival lays the foundations for a new experience that views culture as a bridge connecting past and present and giving heritage renewed life within the consciousness of individuals and communities.

Honoring Memory and Celebrating Achievement… Tributes and Awards of the First Edition of Cyrene Theatre Days

The value of cultural and artistic festivals is measured not only by the performances and activities they present, but also by the human and cultural messages they convey—messages that affirm the importance of honoring those who have contributed to building awareness, creating beauty, and preserving collective memory. From this perspective, the first edition of Cyrene Theatre Days has given special attention to recognition and tribute, inspired by the belief that great cities are preserved not only through their monuments and archaeological treasures, but also through the efforts of the men and women who devoted their lives to knowledge, culture, and public service.

The selection of the writer and researcher Daoud Hallaq as the Festival Personality of the First Edition crowns a long journey of cultural and scholarly contribution. His name has become closely associated with documenting local memory and preserving popular heritage. Through his writings and initiatives, he has played an important role in strengthening awareness of the value of place and reinforcing a sense of belonging to the historical and civilizational identity of Shahhat and Cyrene. This choice reflects the festival’s commitment to celebrating figures who have made culture a mission and memory a lifelong project dedicated to safeguarding history for future generations.

In keeping with this vision, the first edition pays tribute to a number of distinguished individuals whose contributions have left a clear mark in the fields of historical research, archaeology, culture, the arts, and community service. These recognitions represent an acknowledgment of their efforts in advancing knowledge, preserving heritage, and strengthening the cultural presence of both the city and the nation.

Honoring researchers, historians, university professors, and archaeological experts is far more than a symbolic gesture. It affirms the central role of scholarship and research in protecting collective memory and safeguarding cultural identity. Likewise, recognizing artists and cultural practitioners reflects a deep appreciation of the role that the arts play in fostering awareness and promoting the values of beauty, belonging, and cultural continuity.

The spirit of gratitude is not limited to living contributors. It also extends to a number of departed figures who remain deeply present in the memory of the city and its people. Their recognition serves as a tribute to their efforts in the fields of heritage preservation, archaeology, culture, and community work. This human dimension adds a profound significance to the festival, emphasizing that genuine creativity cannot be separated from memory and that honoring pioneers is part of the responsibility that each generation bears toward its cultural history.

The festival administration has also dedicated special recognition to individuals whose service to society has left a lasting and positive impact on the lives of others. Through this gesture, the festival affirms that culture is not an isolated elite activity but an integral part of everyday life and of the values upon which communities are built.

Alongside these tributes, the festival has established a series of awards bearing the names of distinguished cultural, artistic, and academic figures. This initiative combines the encouragement of theatrical creativity with the preservation of the names and legacies of pioneers within the cultural memory of society. The awards cover a variety of categories, including Best Performance, Best Playwright, Best Director, and Best Actor, in addition to awards recognizing theatrical costume design and the creative use of place within performance. The program also includes an award for scholarly research in Greek theatre, reflecting the festival’s broad vision that unites art and knowledge.

These awards acquire particular significance because they are closely aligned with the festival’s philosophy of drawing inspiration from heritage and integrating historical spaces into the theatrical experience. They reward not only artistic excellence but also innovative approaches capable of creating a dynamic relationship between theatre and place, and between contemporary creativity and historical memory.

What distinguishes the first edition of Cyrene Theatre Days is its ability to balance a commitment to the future through the encouragement of emerging creative talents with a deep respect for the past through the recognition of those who have contributed to cultural awareness and heritage preservation. It is a message that affirms that authentic culture is built not on separation between generations, but on continuity, accumulation, and acknowledgment of those who have paved the way.

Thus, the tributes and awards are not merely one component of the festival’s program; they are an essential expression of its cultural and human vision. Through them, the festival seeks to make art a means of preserving memory, strengthening belonging, and highlighting the inspiring individuals who have served their nation and its culture. When the festival honors its pioneers and creators, it is, in reality, celebrating the history of an entire city and reaffirming that memory is the bridge through which nations cross toward their future.

The first edition of Cyrene Theatre Days represents more than a cultural event; it is an invitation to rediscover the relationship between people, history, and place through the language of theatre and the arts. By bringing performances into open historical spaces, encouraging dialogue between heritage and contemporary creativity, and celebrating those who have dedicated their lives to culture and knowledge, the festival lays the foundation for a promising cultural tradition.

In the ancient landscape of Cyrene, where the echoes of civilizations still resonate among columns and ruins, theatre becomes a bridge connecting memory and imagination, past and future. Through this vision, Cyrene Theatre Days affirms that culture remains one of the most powerful means of preserving identity, inspiring creativity, and strengthening the bonds between communities and their heritage.

Read: The Human Being, Before the Artist

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Souad Khalil, hailing from Benghazi Libya, is a writer, poet, and translator. She has been writing on culture, literature and other general topics.

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