Bashar Murkus & Khulood Basel / Khashabi Theatre

In a visual, musical, and theatrical celebration, Khashabi Theatre performs السّيرة الهلاليّة (Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah - The Epic of Banī Hilāl). This legendary Arab saga, passed down orally since the 14th century, has been sung and celebrated by folk poets across generations. We will follow the remarkable journey of the Banī Hilāl tribe as they migrate from Najd in the Arabian Peninsula to Tunisia. And the extraordinary life of Abū Zaid al-Hilālī, a boy exiled in childhood for the color of his skin, who rises from a destitute refugee into one of the most famous legends of the Arabs. 

Often called the Arab Iliad, the Hilali Epic has echoed through centuries, yet today it faces the risk of vanishing, preserved by only a handful of folk poets in Upper Egypt. 

To create this artistic event, Bashar Murkus has re-written the epic, relying on old documentation, publications, and rare recordings of the remaining heritage from the ancient poets who chanted the saga. He has blended this with the aesthetics of Palestinian folklore and authentic Arab performance styles. 

Ancient theatrical techniques have been revived, intentionally moving away from styles introduced during European colonialism. The ensemble explores how these original forms might have evolved naturally, free from colonial influence. On stage, seven young, tremendously energetic players use songs, music, dance, shadow play, and puppets to create a magnificent theatrical festival overflowing with music, visuals, and poetry. —  Bashar Murkus & Khulood Basel / Khashabi Theatre