We had the privilege of attending the first edition of the SITFY Poland Festival in Krakow, where Jean-Pierre Martinez was the guest of honor. This edition, dedicated to the “Monodrama” genre, provided an opportunity to discover surprising and often moving performances from theater companies from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Poland, Romania, Spain, Italy, and Kosovo. The jury, composed of recognized figures from the world of theater, was also international (Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Albania, Kosovo). These four days were filled with fascinating exchanges about theater and also presented a chance to meet remarkable personalities, brimming with curiosity, humor, generosity, and humanity. This unique SITFY festival, an offshoot of the Egyptian theater festival in Sharm El-Sheikh, was directed by Mazen El-Gharabawy and co-organized by Zein Rashad of Kite Poland. The variety and originality of the themes explored, along with the particularly intense acting by all the actors and actresses, delighted the audience.
Le palmarès
The jury* awarded the following performances.
The Best Integrated Show award went to Don’t Revenge Us (Romania), written by Ionut Poclid and directed by Ella Nistor. This show tells the harrowing story of Margareta Spanu-Cemartan, a Romanian girl from Bessarabia, deported to a gulag in Siberia during the occupation of this region by the Soviet Union in 1940. Actress Silvia Raileanu, whose performance deeply moved the audience, also won the Best Actress award.
The Best Direction award went to Burrnesha (Italy), written by Sara Giacomelli, directed by Valbona Xibri, and performed by Maryna Ivashchenko. Sara Giacomelli also won the Best Theatrical Script award by illustrating, through the story of Gjela, a young girl living in a northern Albanian village, the age-old tradition of these “Sworn Virgins,” who are considered men after taking a vow to remain celibate.
Director Youssef El-Baloushy won the Best Scenography award for Something is Gnawing in My Head (Oman), stunningly portrayed by Ahmed El-Oweiny, who also won the Best Actor award. A hypnotic, terrifying, and fascinating plunge into the mind of a tormented man.
The Special Jury Award went to A Woman in Trouble (Saudi Arabia), by Dario Fo and Franca Rame, directed by Turki Baesa, and performed by Hanadi Salmen, which touched us with its freedom of expression and the strength of its performance.
Actress Zoe Lopez won the Special Jury Award for her role in Siemprevivas (Spain), which moved the audience.
The Jury
Dr Engy El-Bestawy (Egypt), SITFY Managing Director
Marwa Karouny (Lebanon), actress and director
Dr Khalifa Al-Hajri (Kuwait), scenographer
Dr Marigona Bekteshi Ferati (Kosovo), director
Edmond Xhumari (Albania), director
The shows
SITFY Poland will present seven monodramas in competition, selected from over 50 submissions by the Polish-Egyptian committee, along with an honorary performance.
Poland “Twór“
Written and directed by ADRIAN KOLOS, Alterego Theatre
Romania “Don’t Avenge Us“
Written by Ionut Poclid, directed by Mirela Nistor, produced by Teatrul pentru Copii şi Tineret Vasilache, with Silvia Raileanu
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia “A Woman in Distress“
Written by Dario fo and directed by Turki Baesa, produced by Theatre Choir Group
Italy “Burrnesha” (Sworn Virgin)
Written by Sara Giacomelli, directed by Valbona Xibri, produced by Ballkan Teater with Maryna Ivashchenko
Spain “Maxima Starr“
Written and performed by Sara Ruiz Ferrer, directed by Jose Maleno, produced by CÍE Traspasarte
Oman “Something Gnaws in My Head“
Written by Ahmed el Maged, directed by Youssef Elbaloshy, produced by Mazoun Theatre
Spain – “Siemprevivas” –
Featuring Leticia Sanchez and Zoé L Samper
Guest Performance – Kosovo “An Innocent Little Murder“
Written by Jean-Pierre Martinez, directed by Marigona Bekteshi Ferati
With: Fisnik Ademi, Irena Aliu, Qendresa Kajtazi, and Artan Hetemi. Link to this performance
