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## A national celebration of Moroccan theatre
Tétouan hosts the 26th National Theatre Festival from 16 to 23 October 2026 under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI. The Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication (Department of Culture), in partnership with the Province of Tétouan, brings together performers, companies, critics, researchers and audiences from across Morocco.
## Ten plays in the official competition
Ten works were selected from 34 submissions, of which 24 met the eligibility requirements. The competing productions are “L’Ascenseur” (Lahlou for Cultural Mediation, Laâyoune), “El Bahriya et El Raddad” (Dar El Fan, Fès), “Cerclage” (Jiwar Association, Casablanca), “Dalam” or “Darkness” (Oukad Theatre, Marrakech), “Amr” (Al Hoceïma Theatre Club), “Dabab” or “Fog” (Hib’Art, Fès), “Three Eyes… and a Cat” (Corp’scéne, Rabat), “Caïd El Oued” (Arlequin, Marrakech), “The Grey Zone” (Creators, Fès), and “Sah Zine” (Al Fan Al Assil, Casablanca). The competition recognises playwriting, directing, scenography, costumes, female and male performances, promising talent and the overall Grand Prize.
## A broader cultural programme
The festival also includes non-competitive performances, workshops, critical discussions, book signings and creative readings. Talks examine theatre in the age of digital media and its impact on artistic production and audiences. Exhibitions of books and sculptural portraits honour ten departed pioneers of Moroccan theatre, while outreach activities take performances beyond conventional venues.
## Festival spaces and opening
The opening ceremony took place at Teatro-Cinema Español on 16 October and included theatrical performances and live music by Hoba Hoba Spirit. Festival activities use Teatro-Cinema Español, the cultural centre and other local spaces.
## Practical information
Tétouan, Morocco, 16–23 October 2026. Times and venues depend on the individual event. Admission and prices have not been confirmed, so free entry should not be assumed. Official source: https://mjcc.gov.ma/ar/77148-2/.
## Day-by-day programme: 16–23 October 2026
**Friday 16 October:** opening ceremony at Teatro-Cinema Español, tributes to five Moroccan theatre figures, jury presentation and live music by Hoba Hoba Spirit.
**Saturday 17 October:** conference on theatre and digital media and book signing by Mourad Bellaouj at the Ikleel cultural centre.
**Sunday 18 October:** theatre improvisation workshop with Farid El Karki at 11 am at the National Institute of Fine Arts, plus staged readings of Widad Benmoussa’s texts.
**Monday 19 October:** official competition performances “Qaïd El Oued” at Tétouan Cultural Centre and “Dalam / Darkness” at Teatro-Cinema Español; book signing by Idriss El Qari on AI and the future of culture and arts.
**Tuesday 20 October:** physical expression workshop with Amal Benhaddou at 11 am, and staged reading of “Ayam El Izz” by Youssef Fadel.
**Wednesday 21 October:** acting workshop with Sanaa Bahaj at 11 am, book signing by Fatima Miqdad about arts education in Morocco, and “Sah Zine” at 8 pm at Teatro-Cinema Español.
**Thursday 22 October:** staged reading of “Bourj El Khobz El Hafi” by Bachir Benboucht.
**Friday 23 October:** final official festival day; a detailed last-day schedule or closing ceremony has not been independently confirmed.
**Important:** Only stated performance times are confirmed. The other selected competition productions are known, but their dates and locations require further verification. Sources: https://antajman.ae/?p=15412 and https://alfurja.com/8163-2/ and https://mjcc.gov.ma/ar/77148-2/.
## 2026 festival awards
The festival ended on 23 October 2026. “Zone grise” won the Grand Prize and “Dabab” received four awards. [Read the full winners list on Culturama](/en/magazine/national-theatre-festival-2026-tetouan-awards-winners).
