“Mawassem – From Lebnon Seasons” concluded its latest edition, held from August 20 to 30,
2026, at Ehden Country Club, attracting remarkable audience attendance and engagement in an
atmosphere that brought together theater, culture, and tourism.
Mawassem presented a diverse theatrical and cultural program featuring a selection of Lebanese
productions varying in style and subject matter, including “Aal Hawa Sawa,” “Ghammed Aein…
Fatteh Aein,” “Radio Transistor,” and “The Bear.” The program also featured The Crazy
Science Circus, a show dedicated to children, as well as a number of cultural gatherings and
parallel activities. In addition, theater workshops were organized, offering participants the
opportunity to interact, learn, and explore the tools of theatrical expression and creativity.
As part of its mission to strengthen the presence of theater in schools and highlight young talent,
students from Nazareth School, Les Comédiens de Nazareth, took part in Mawassem by
presenting the play “Shou El Qadiyeh?” written by Georges Khabbaz.
Their participation offered a vivid example of what school theater can achieve when students are
given the space, confidence, and attention they deserve. One of Mawassem’s key objectives is to
bring theater back to the heart of educational life and provide students with opportunities to
discover their talents and develop their abilities in expression, communication, and teamwork.
The success of this edition reaffirmed the need for a continuous theatrical and cultural movement
across Lebanon’s regions—one that brings art closer to people and gives audiences the
opportunity to experience Lebanese theatrical productions in different parts of the country,
beyond their concentration in the capital.
Mawassem also aims to present cultural events with a tourism dimension, connecting theater to
place and encouraging audiences to visit and discover the regions hosting its activities. To this
end, Mawassem collaborated with a number of hotels, restaurants, tourism institutions, and local
businesses to offer a complete experience that combines attending performances with
discovering Ehden and its unique character.
Nathalie Khawaja, Founder of Mawassem, said:
“The success of Mawassem is the result of a strong belief in culture and in the power of
theater to bring people together and create genuine spaces for connection. What was
achieved in Ehden would not have been possible without the trust of the audience, the
dedication of the artists and production teams, and the collaboration of partners who
believed in this vision with us.
This experience is not the end of a chapter, but rather the beginning of a journey that we
hope will extend to other regions across Lebanon and contribute to bringing theater closer
to people and younger generations. We believe that culture is a collective responsibility and
that collaboration and partnership are essential to ensuring its continuity.”
Mawassem extends its sincere thanks to the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism, the
Zgharta–Ehden Municipality, Ehden Country Club, as well as all partners, sponsors, tourism and
media institutions, artists, production teams, volunteers, and everyone who contributed to the
success of this edition.
Special thanks also go to the people of Ehden and Zgharta, as well as audiences who attended
from across Lebanon and played an essential role in making this experience a success.
Mawassem is now preparing to move into new stages and regions, carrying forward its vision of
building a sustainable cultural movement, strengthening school theater, expanding theater
workshops and cultural activities, connecting theater with place and community, and giving
every region the opportunity to tell its own stories.