The eighth International Theater Festival kicked off on April 20, 2025, in Erbil, bringing together theater groups and artists from across the Middle East and beyond. Organized by the Directorate of Theater Arts in Erbil and supported by the Ministry of Culture and Youth of the Kurdistan Regional Government, the festival showcased the rich cultural diversity and talent of Kurdish, Arab, Iraqi, and international performers.
This year’s festival featured ten theater groups from Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, and various cities within the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. The event celebrated a wide array of performances, with famous stars from cinema and theater joining the talented actors and performers. The festival’s theme was centered around artistic expression and unity, with two plays being performed daily for the duration of the event.
The festival’s opening ceremony drew notable figures including Pshtiwan Sadiq, Minister of Endowment and Religious Affairs; Omed Khoshnaw, Governor of Erbil; Arian Salahaddin, Deputy Minister of Culture; and many other cultural leaders and artists. The performances were carefully evaluated by a committee of theater experts, ensuring that the festival remained a platform for high-quality, thought-provoking theater.
In addition to the performances, the festival fostered cultural exchange among the participating artists and audiences. It also served as a venue for discussions about the future of theater in the region, promoting artistic dialogue and collaboration across borders.
As the festival continues through its week-long run, it remains a significant event for the cultural landscape of Erbil, offering a space for creativity and celebrating the shared stories of the Kurdish and international artistic communities.
