Cairo, September 8, 2023
The CIFET Supreme Committee, as well as all executive committees and employees, mourn the death of Saad Al-Mahwashi, a great Tunisian artist. May he rest in peace, one of Tunisia’s and the Arab world’s symbols of puppetry, who died early Friday morning, September 8th, of a sudden stroke.May Allah have mercy on him, grant patience to his family and loved ones, and grant him the dwell in Eden
Al-Mahwashi had a sudden stroke the day after participating in Tunisia’s “Blackout” as part of the 30th CIFET official competition at Gomhoreya Theater. The festival management immediately transferred him to one of Dokki’s private hospitals, and the festival’s supreme committee monitored his condition until he passed away early this morning
Al-Mahwashi is regarded as one of the Arab world’s most famous puppetry and toy designers, as well as one of the founders of the Tunisian National Center of Puppetry, and as one of the most prominent guests of the Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theater in recent years. He is a puppetry professor at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Art in Tunis. His most recent work was “The Village Doctor” for children. The late won numerous important awards and honors, including first prize and best theatrical work directed for children at the Malaysia International Puppetry Festival in 2017 for his show ,”Liqa
BLACKOUT is one of two Tunisian performances at this year’s festival, which is produced by The Tunisian National Centre of Puppetry. Mohamed Mounir Al-Arqi directs and dramaturges the performance, which stars Haitham Wansi, Fatima al-Zahra Al-Marwani, Osama Mckinney, Hana Al-Waslati, Osama Hanaini, Diaa Al-Mansouri, and Ihab Ben Ramadan.Arqi