The first edition of the Figuig International Theatre Festival, which will take place from 12 to 16 April, will pay a posthumous tribute to the great Moroccan playwright and lyricist Ahmed Tayeb Laâlaj. Organised under the theme "Theatre and art, levers of sustainable development", this international cultural and artistic event, initiated by the Sanabil organisation – Figuig section – will attempt to revitalise theatrical activity in this region of the Oriental. Coming from Egypt, Palestine, Iraq, Tunisia, Spain, Libya, Sudan and Algeria... as well as other cities like Fes, Oujda, Bouarfa and Agadir, the participating troupes will have to compete for five days in movement, meaning, metaphor, costumes, lights, texts and spectacle. The general harmony of the plays interpreted by the different troupes will be essential to win the sympathy of critics, the public and observers. As a prelude to this first edition, a twinning protocol will be signed between the Figuig International Theatre Festival and the Baghdad Theatre Forum, in Iraq.

This first edition will also be an opportunity to start a training cycle covering various themes: "School theatre", a workshop led by Haydar Hassan and Mohamed Boubkrat; "Theatre and the environment", by Abderrahman Chemlal; "Preparation of the actor", by Smail Farès; "Writing the theatrical text", by Abdelfattah Abatani; and "Directing", by the Algerian Boukarch El Hadi.

In addition to the children's morning shows, which will be hosted by Uncle Zouzou and his group "Dreams of World Childhood", this first edition will be punctuated by conferences with the participation of specialists and academics, such as Abdelkerim Berchid, Abdelfettah Abatani, Said Karimi, Mohamed Hamidi, Jalal Aarab, Salah Eddine Jbari, Houcine Rahmoun and Mohamed Hansali. They will address several current issues, namely "The theatrical career of Ahmed Tayeb Laalaj", "Culture in Figuig, between the local and the national", "Shows and Moroccan popular culture", "Arab theatre and globalisation", and "The audiovisual sector, what strategy".

The evenings in Figuig, in this spring season, will be hosted by artists known and recognised by the general public. Thus, festival-goers and the inhabitants of this city in the Oriental will have a date with Mokhtar Berkani, Hamdllah Rouicha, the Palestinian Rim Talhmi... as well as several popular and folkloric troupes from the region and young musical groups like Nit Hop and Fafa Ray.