Organised by Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipal Theatre and the International Theatre Institute (ITI Worldwide), the 11th International Amed Theatre Festival will be held from 24 April to 2 May 2026 under the theme “Dialogue for Peace”, and a declaration has been issued.

Operating under the Metropolitan Municipality’s Department of Culture and Social Affairs, Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipal Theatre (DBŞT) held its first preparatory meeting for the 11th International Amed Theatre Festival—which it will stage internationally for the first time—at the Çand Amed Culture and Congress Centre. The meeting was hosted by Zeynep Yaş, Head of the Department of Culture and Social Affairs, Theatre Director Tahir Baykuşak and DBŞT actors. Moderated by DBŞT actor and director Berfin Emektar, the meeting heard contributions from director, playwright and actor Ihsan Othmann from Duhok; Hiva Suad, Coordinator of the Hewlêr International Theatre Festival and Hewlêr Theatre Lead; actor and director Uwe Eric Laufenberg from Berlin; Dr Jessica Atwooki Kaahwa, Senior Adviser at Makerere University’s Department of Performing Arts and Film (Uganda) and President of the International Theatre Institute (ITI Worldwide); and Marharyta Korniushchenko, Head of the Literary Department at the Kharkiv State Academic Ukrainian Drama Theatre, who all shared their experiences.

‘We forged a shared culture with 33 civilisations’

In her opening remarks, Zeynep Yaş, Head of the Department of Culture and Social Affairs, said that at such an important juncture they were launching a significant programme in Diyarbakır, adding: “Culturally, this city has connected the cultures of Mesopotamia and the Middle East. In our city, which has been the cradle of 33 civilisations, we as the Kurdish people have forged a shared culture with these civilisations and lived together with them.”

‘The aim is to lay the foundations of peace’

Stating that the Kurdish people have struggled to achieve an enlightenment integrated with the world, Yaş said: “The aim here is to lay the foundations of peace, equality, progress and enlightenment.”

Yaş noted that visitors would see how narrow the city’s streets are, adding: “The shadows of those narrow streets fall upon each other and almost protect one another. I hope that, through this festival, the colours and voices of our people—and of all the peoples of the Middle East—come together in the streets of this city, and that all peoples live together in peace and tranquillity.”

Presentation on Kurdish theatre

DBŞT actor Yavuz Akkuzu delivered a presentation to participants on the stages professional Kurdish theatre—launched in the 1990s in İzmir, Mersin, Adana and İstanbul—has gone through to date, the pressures it has faced, the plays it has produced, and the festivals it has organised.

ITI issues declaration of support

Following the meeting where the joint working model with ITI (International Theatre Institute), the festival theme and experience-sharing were discussed, a declaration supporting the festival was issued on behalf of ITI.

The English text was read by Dr Jessica Atwooki Kaahwa, and the Kurdish text by Berfin Emektar. The declaration announced that the International Theatre Institute (ITI) supports the 11th International Amed Theatre Festival.

Stating that “this festival is a reflection of ITI’s mission at its core—the performing arts—as a bridge of dialogue, understanding and reconciliation between peoples and cultures”, the declaration included the following:

“Starting from the belief in theatre’s power to foster empathy, strengthen mutual respect and promote peaceful coexistence, ITI regards this festival as a meaningful extension of its global commitment to peace through cultural exchange and artistic collaboration.

Therefore, ITI declares its solidarity with this initiative and salutes the organisers, who carry forward the transformative power of theatre towards building a more compassionate and harmonious world.”

Festival dates set

Meeting with theatre directors from Hewlêr, Berlin, Frankfurt, Ukraine and Uganda, DBŞT actors set the festival dates for 24 April–2 May 2026.