First Syriac Theater Festival in Ankawa, Iraq, to start in December

ANKAWA, Iraq — Sabah Hormuz Al-Shani, theater critic and novelist, announced the inaugural Syriac Theater Festival, scheduled for 14–16 December in Ankawa, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The festival aims to breathe life into Syriac culture and arts and will be organized by the General Directorate of Syriac Culture and Arts in the KRI.

Al-Shani, entrusted with overseeing the festival, shares that it will feature Syriac theatrical performances from diverse regions, accompanied by seminars and discussions delving into the realm of Syriac theater. The event will culminate with an awards ceremony, with the jury chaired by the Director General of the Theater and Cinema Department at the Iraqi Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities.

The festival promises to attract stars and trailblazers from Syriac, Arab, and Kurdish theater, honoring distinguished figures within the theatrical realm. Notably, expatriate artist Romeo Yousef will be among those recognized for their significant contributions.