Director and actress Abeer Lotfy emphasised that dedicating the festival's upcoming edition to the late Samiha Ayoub (1932–2025) adds significant value and reinforces its mission of celebrating female theatre-makers in Egypt.
She added that Ayoub had long been a role model and had significantly influenced the artistic and cultural scene in Egypt and the Arab world. Her legacy is remarkable—not only as an actress but also as a director. She was the first woman to manage the National Theatre and the first female director to stage a production there, a bold achievement during an era dominated by Egypt's great theatre legends.
Lotfy noted that Ayoub's work will remain ever-present, thanks to her profound contributions that helped shape the identity of Egyptian art and inspired generations of artists.
In the announcement, she explained that Ayoub's influence extended beyond the Arab world, touching even prominent global intellectuals. The French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre (1905–1980) travelled to Egypt specifically to watch her perform on stage. After the performance, he famously remarked, "At last, I have found Electra in Cairo."
Samiha Ayoub
The decision to hold the festival in Ayoub's name comes shortly after the Lady of Arab Theatre passed away on 3 June, aged 93.
Throughout her prolific career, Ayoub collaborated with Egypt's most renowned directors and appeared in more than 170 theatrical productions—alongside dozens of roles in Radio, television dramas, and films.
She was among the first Egyptian female artists to explore directing in the 1970s. She directed four plays and co-produced several stage productions and films.
She created a host of iconic characters across theatre, film, radio, and television, with standout performances in productions such as Al-Bakheel (The Miser), Kobry Al-Namoos (Mosquito Bridge), and Sikkat Al-Salama (The Right Way).
Several films featuring Ayoub, including The Monster (1954), are among the 100 best Egyptian films ever.
Her more recent appearances include roles in the television series El-Tawoos (2021), Agaza Maftouha (2021), Sukkar Zeyada (2020), and Awraq El Toot (2015); the films Teta Rahiba (2012), Al-Leila Al-Kebira (2015), and Sanaa's Tale, a 2016 documentary; and stage performances such as Almaz and Si Abdo (2021).
Ayoub also directed the Modern Theatre from 1972 to 1975 and headed the National Theatre twice, between 1975 and 1989.
Her contributions earned her numerous national and international accolades, including the Republic Medal of the First Class for Art from President Gamal Abdel-Nasser (1966), the Knight Medal from French President Giscard d'Estaing (1977), and a Certificate of Appreciation from President Anwar El-Sadat (1979).
Eazees International Festival for Women's Theatre
Actress and Director Abeer Lotfy presides over the Eazees International Festival for Women's Theater. Director Abeer Aly and theatre critic Rasha Abdel-Moneim are festival directors.
In its inaugural edition, renowned Egyptian actress Sawsan Badr was the festival's honorary president, and the event was named after the late writer Fathia Al-Assal.
The festival focuses on stage plays about women's issues. Awards are presented for Best Stage Play, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Scenography, alongside jury awards, certificates of appreciation, and special mentions.
The festival's trophy is a statue of the ancient Egyptian goddess Eazees (Isis), symbolising female strength, wisdom, and creativity.
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