The Sharm El-Sheikh International Theater Festival (SITFY) for Youth is set to see a fifth edition at the South Sinai tourist hub between 16 and 20 November, with 50 percent capacity and budget, read a statement by the organizers on Monday.
"Launching the fifth edition during November before the end of 2020 is a huge challenge; however, it supports the idea of tourism security and that Egypt is safe. It also reflects the theatre's capability to take the lead in facing challenges, indicating full adherence to all [coronavirus] preventative measures taken," stated veteran actor and director Mohamed Sobhy, head of the festival's higher committee.
The festival's honorary president, Samiha Ayoub, AKA the Lady of the Arab Theatre, stressed that "SITFY develops and progresses, and that launching that edition emphasizes the challenge of youth, which has been the motto of the festival since its establishment."
Under the helms of its founder and president, Mazen El-Gharabawy, and his crew, which includes General Director Ingy Al-Bastawi, preparations for the event are underway to meet "a major challenge for the festival's management board."
Backed by Egypt's Ministry of Culture and the Governorate of South Sinai, in addition to and local and international cultural authorities and private companies, SITFY's fifth edition was previously scheduled for April but postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The festival has initially planned to host many troupes and workshops with an aim to bring together young theatre practitioners, playwrights, and theatre academics from Egypt, the Arab world, and the international artistic scene.
Egypt resumed public cultural activities in July as part of the country's cautious reopening following the COVID-19 lockdown, with all events held under strict measures that include social distancing, obligatory face masks, and sanitising.
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