The International Theatre Without Fund Festival (TWFF) opened its 10th edition on Sunday at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina's grand hall with a short documentary and a music performance. "The philosophy of the festival is imagination, not money," said the festival's president and founder Gamal Yakout, who was keen to thank all the state authorities and ministries "who strongly supported the festival." The opening show, Italy's Illusion, directed by Fabio Omedi, was staged after the ceremony. The event, running until 22 November, will see a number performances staged in three theatres in Alexandria. The Beram El-Tonsy Theatre and Anfoushy Cultural Palace are staging 13 performances from nine countries; four from Egypt, two from Oman, and one each from Palestine, Tunisia, Libya, France, Italy, Switzerland and Korea. The TWFF is organised by the Ministry of Culture in cooperation with the General Authority of Cultural Palaces and the bodies hosting the performances. The jury is made up of Egyptian and international theatre specialists: theatre director Essam El-Sayed (Egypt), stenographer Khalifa Al-Hajri (Kuwait), actress Mihaela Mihut (Romania/USA) and artist Johanna Elisabeth (Holland). Under the helm of Artistic Director Ibrahim El-Forn, the TWFF's 10th edition, which is dedicated to late Egyptian actor Talaat Zakaria, who passed away on 8 October this year, will see the honouring of several theater experts, including TV star actor Ahmed Abdel-Aziz. For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture
