Wahid Essaafi
PRESIDENT – TUNISIAWahid Essaafi is a senior professor at the University of Tunis, with a diverse background in various leadership roles and teaching positions. His previous roles include Director General of the National Translation Center, Director of the Carthage Theater Festival, Director General of the Tunisian National Theater, Director of the International Cultural Center of Hammamet, and Professor at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Art at the University of Tunis. He has also served as an associate lecturer at the University of Sorbonne Nouvelle-Paris III and the University of Paris VIII-Vincennes in addition to being Head of the Research Unit: “Reading Religious Discourse” as well as Secretary-General of the Institute of Research on Religions.
Wahid Essaafi holds a Doctorate in Language, Literature, and Arab Civilization from the Faculty of Arts at La Manouba, Tunisia, a Doctorate of the 3rd Cycle in Literature from the Université de la Sorbonne Nouvelle-Paris III, and a Diploma in Theater Studies from the Institute of Theater Studies at the Université de la Sorbonne Nouvelle-Paris III.
His extensive publications cover various topics, including “The Primordial Islam Revived: *al-Saqîfa” (2022), “The Strange and the Wonderful in Quranic Exegesis” (2001), ” Sacrifice in the Pre-Islamic and Islamic Periods” (2003), “On Reading Religious Discourse” (2008), “In the Beginning Was Violence… or the Art of Believing” (2016) and “On Some Pilgrimage Rituals” (2009).
Pierre Abi Saab
Member - LibanLebanese Journalist and critic. Indeed, Pierre is one of those who observe, analyze, and contemplate cultural practice. As a seasoned witness of cultural developments in the Arab world, his writings offered a detached perspective on the evolution, stakes, and implications of artistic practice. Having been a journalist and critic for ‘al yob assabeh’ (Paris) and later for ‘al hayat’ (London, Beirut), he launched, in 2004, the cultural review Zawaya with a new generation of Arab journalists and artists. In 2006, he was one of the founders of the pan-Arab daily ‘al-akhbar’ (based in Beirut).
Odile Katese
Member - Rwanda(Kiki), is an actor, director, playwright and cultural entrepreneur in Rwanda. This former deputy director of the University Centre for Arts and Drama founded the first women’s drumming company, contemporary dance company, and international festival. As the director of the Woman Cultural Centre, she prepares for the 20th anniversary of Rwanda’s first woman drummer. Kiki’s play “I Have a Drum” and program “Gira Ingoma – One drum per girl” empower the next generation of women drummers. She has received awards and fellowships for her impactful contributions to conflict resolution and peace building through the arts.
João Branco
Member - Cap VertDirector, actor, researcher, theater professor, and cultural manager, he is an essential figure in the Lusophone theater scene. Awarded numerous times for his global promotion of performing arts, particularly in the Lusophone world, João Guedes Alves Branco has directed over 70 theatrical productions in Cape Verde, Brazil, and Portugal. He has also appeared in theater, film, and television productions. He is the founder and artistic director of the International Theater Festival in Mindelo (Cape Verde), the most important performing arts event in continental Africa.
He holds a master’s degree in performing arts and a doctorate in communication, culture and the arts.
Naima Zitan
Membrer - Marocembarked on her journey as a playwright and director for various Moroccan, Arab, and international productions. This graduate of the Higher Institute of Dramatic Art and Cultural Animation, established her association and troupe, “Théâtre Aquarium,” in 1994. Nestled in the Ribat medina, her pocket-sized theater contributes to the city’s cultural vibrancy and the presentation of plays advocating women’s rights, gender equality, and cultural enrichment. In 2012, she directed “Dialy,” a play crafted from 150 testimonials of Moroccan women sharing their perspectives on sexuality.