Al-Saraya Theater Concludes 10th "Yafouya" Festival in Jaffa

Al-Saraya Arab Theater in Jaffa concluded its 10th "Yafouya" Festival on Friday, September 25, 2026. The four-day event, themed "Green Land," featured a diverse program of theater, dance, music, visual arts, and cinematic and dialogue sessions, celebrating a decade of cultural work centered on women, their creativity, and their issues. Festival activities extended beyond the Al-Saraya stage to include the Mill Gallery, Jaffa cafes, and community spaces, fostering interaction between artists and the public and enhancing the presence of arts in daily life.

The festival's closing featured the premiere of the Al-Manshiyya Choir's performance, "From Sayed to Fairuz," led by Elias Haddoub. This concert bridged the music of Sayed Darwish with the works of the Rahbani brothers and Fairuz, marking the choir's public debut. The festival also honored Kifah Abdel Halim, the festival's founder and director for its first five years, and Hanan Nafar, its director for the last five years, recognizing their contributions to establishing and developing "Yafouya" as a Palestinian women's space in the city. The honorees received ceramic artworks from artist Nour Minawi, presented by Fatima Halawi, co-chair of Al-Saraya Theater's administrative board.

The festival opened with a dialogue session, "The Impact of Harassment: How Do We Support?" featuring psychotherapist Amal Khamis and psychologist Nidal Moussa, moderated by Rabab Qurbi. This session addressed the psychological and social effects of harassment and the role of families and communities in supporting survivors. It was followed by a preview of Abeer Zeibak Haddad's documentary, "Four Scenes to Break the Silence," based on testimonies from sexual assault survivors, emphasizing societal responsibility for listening and support.

Performances included "Arabisca" by Nour Gharibli, which reinterprets Palestinian dabke from a female and collective perspective; "A Letter in Colored Pencils" by the "48 Message" troupe, directed by Amir Mahajna; and "Someday" by Ensemble Al-Saraya, directed by Amer Hlehel, featuring personal and public life stories. The festival also hosted the musical performance "From the Golan" by artist Ibáa Munther and the play "Life of Wood," performed by Maya Amiya Qish with musical accompaniment by Swar Awad, based on texts by Sheikha Halawi.

An evening titled "My Heart is My Guide" celebrated songs by Arab female singing stars, with participation from Mohammed Qundus, Mira Azar, Carole Awad, Shukri Imseis, and Mohammed Al-Ghoul. The final day included a performance of Harold Pinter's play "The Lover," translated and directed by Khawla Ibrahim, starring Shreir Kebha and Salaf Mkhoul. The visual arts component was represented by the exhibition "They Returned Longing for Jaffa," curated by Massa Omar, showcasing artists' works in various cafes and community spaces.

The festival also included a children's program with the play "The Ugly Duckling" by Al-Karma Theater, hosted at Hassan Arafeh School, and "The Well of Secrets" by Hanin Audallah and Joan Safadi, performed at the Islamic Center. Al-Saraya Theater expressed gratitude to the audience, artists, partner institutions, and individuals who contributed to the festival's success, including festival director Hanan Nafar and technical director Marwan Satl.