University Theater Festival: A Meeting of Opposites in Casablanca

The 38th International University Theater Festival of Casablanca transformed the city into a vibrant stage from July 4 to 9, hosting a diverse array of university theater groups. This year's festival offered an "odyssey" of performances, spanning various venues and delving into themes that connect the past with the present, prompting audiences to reflect on the city's history and memory.

The opening took place at the "Moulay Rachid Cultural Complex" in the Bensik neighborhood, featuring the play "Bingo Players at Euripides" by Madrid's Zero Drama University. Ulysses Martin from Spain received the award for best actor for his role in the performance. The venue also hosted "The Imaginary Invalid" by Fez's Stars College and "Earth Monkeys" by the Experimental Theater Workshop of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, both from Morocco.

The festival's journey continued to the "l’Hermitage Cultural Complex," a space historically known for its seclusion. Here, outside the competition, the Faculty of Science of Benmsik presented their play "Tala'ab." The Spanish "Caligula," based on Albert Camus's work and directed by Aren Sanchi Sanchi, was performed by the Theater Club of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, earning Monica Hoyos Janina a joint best actress award. The "Ahrib" (Chameleon) troupe from the Higher Institute of Dramatic Art and Cultural Animation (ISADAC) presented "Bare Love."

Further performances were held at the "Grand Theater of Bensik," including "Labyrinth of Overlapping Squirrels" by Armenia's Rifan State Institute of Theater and Cinema, which won the award for best direction. The "Theater Club" of the University Residence of Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris presented "No Escape," adapted from Jean-Paul Sartre's "No Exit" and directed by Shawqi Al-Saadli, with Aida Al-Kurdi sharing the best actress award for her role. The festival also paid tribute to playwright and unionist Abdel Samad Kenfawi, whose work significantly influenced Moroccan theater.