Under the slogan “Creativity versus terrorism”, performances of the Egyptian operetta al-Leila al-Kebira (The Grand Night) are being held at the Talaat Harb Cultural Centre in the Sayeda Zeinab district in Old Cairo. The performances run from 6 to 15 June. The operetta is a marionette musical that depicts a typical Egyptian mulid with all the crowds that gather around the mosque to celebrate a local holy man or saint. The mosque minaret is lit in decorating streamers, and the song-and-dance, street vending, acrobatic shows, jugglers and clowns, and popular food stalls are all featured in catchy folk songs and rhythms.
Al-Leila al-Kebira was written in the 1960s by the brilliant vernacular poet Salah Jahin (1930 – 1986) who was also a lyricist, playwright and cartoonist. The music was by Sayed Mekkawi, an Egyptian singer and composer (1927 – 1997) whose works derived heavily from Egyptian folk music.
As a creative work of expressive art that is thoroughly, authentically Egyptian, Al-Leila al-Kebira is generally seen as a work that glorifies a culture intrinsically opposed to extremist religious thought. Hence the slogan: Creativity vs terrorism.
The current performance has been organised by the State-affiliated Cultural Development Fund (CDF) in cooperation with Cairo’s Hosapeer Theatre, and the National Puppet Theatre. It comes as part of the State-sponsored events held during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, commonly a month of fasting and feasting.
On the sideline of the musical show, children are invited to take part in a number of art workshops: painting, handcrafts, khayamiya (art of tent making), and jewellery, at the Talaat Harb Cultural Centre.