Alexandria, September 21 (QNA) - The 16th edition of the Alexandria International Theatre Festival opened today in Alexandria, Egypt. This year's festival is named after Egyptian actor Mohamed Saad and will run for seven days.

The festival features 16 international and Arab theatrical productions, including Qatar's The Shoe Shiner, written by Khalid Al Jaber and directed by Hafez Khalifa. The play explores how a seemingly marginal profession can become a deeply human experience through the life of a man who appears simple, yet observes the details of the people around him through their shoes. Each pair of shoes becomes a key to a story and a tragedy, shedding light on issues including alienation, brokenness, identity, and belonging.

The festival's programme also includes a range of cultural and artistic activities, including workshops on the fundamentals of critical essay writing, scenography and live physical performance, and dramatic singing. The festival will also honour a number of creative figures who have made an exceptional mark across various fields of theatre. (QNA)