September
08
/ 2023
The ancient art of Egyptian puppetry, tracing its roots back to the era of the Pharaohs, has found a remarkable resurgence in the contemporary world. Puppet performances, along with the enchanting shadow theatre productions, even thrived during the Ottoman Empire. One key figure behind the revival is Mohamed El-Sawy, a passionate Egyptian who, in 2004, established the El-Sakia Puppet Theatre. El-Sawy's dedication goes beyond the stage; he personally crafts the puppets, painstakingly hand-stitching their costumes. Every first Thursday of the month, the El-Sawy Culturewheel Theatre in Cairo's Zamalek district draws an audience of around 500 for its captivating puppet shows. The theatre recently paid tribute to the iconic Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum, demonstrating the versatility of this art form. To
