Touch: The Timeless Craft of Theater

Speaker: Naji Al Hai

Date: Thursday, November 21

Time: 7:30 pm

Registration fee: 99 AED

Award-winning Emirati playwright and theater director Naji Al Hai will lead an exclusive session on the rich tradition of Emirati theater. With a legacy of contributions to international festivals, he will guide participants through the emotional depth of Emirati folklore, revealing untold stories and connecting audiences to a profound cultural heritage.

Naji Al Hai is an accomplished Emirati playwright, theatre director, and retired Assistant Undersecretary for Social Development at the Ministry of Community Development. He has directed and performed in numerous plays since the 1980s, with works presented across the UAE and internationally. His playwriting includes notable titles like A Grain of Sand (1990), The March (1993), and Blind Travel (2005). Alhai’s work has received multiple awards, including Best Script and Best Direction at the Sharjah Theater Days Festival, and he has been honored at festivals in France, Spain, and Cairo. Known for his deep commitment to Emirati theatre, he has contributed extensively to cultural festivals, including Avignon and the Arab Theater Festival, promoting Emirati heritage through storytelling and performance.