The Istanbuli Theatre and Tiro Association for Arts announced the launch of the 2nd edition of the International Women Monodrama Festival in Lebanon from March 21 to 24 at the Lebanese National Theatre in Tyre. The event held under the slogan, “For freedom and equality” comes to celebrate the female and femininity through accentuating women’s strength in Arabic on stage and in arts. The event is a salute to the Lebanese woman and her struggle in all areas with the hashtag “Al Thawra Untha” (Revolution is feminine) while marking the International Women’s Day and Mothers’ Day. The festival will reportedly host local, Arab and foreign performances competing within the official competition for the Best Actress, Best Script and Best Scenography rewards, in addition to the Jury Reward. Explaining the purpose of the festival, the founder of the Lebanese National Theatre, actor and director, Qassem Istanbuli, said it highlights the issue of women around the world through performing arts from various world cultures. The main theme addresses women’s suffering from repression, indoctrination, occupation, laws as well as social and political circumstances in a male dominated society and their struggle for freedom, equality and social justice. (Al Akhbar, March 5, 2020)