Al Hakawati – 1001 Nights

About this event

For centuries, storytelling has held a central place in the collective memory of the Levant. The Hakawati – the traditional storyteller – was more than an entertainer; he opened doors to other worlds, blurring the line between history and legend. Theatre Willy Praml revives this tradition at Produktionshaus NAXOS with its Syrian ensemble member Muawia Harb. Harb takes the well-known material of the 1001 Nights and turns it into a lively piece of folk theatre rather than a dusty classic reading. The whole hall joins in, swept along by his wit, expressive gestures and theatrical flair – a mental flight path between Damascus and Frankfurt. The performance lasts three hours and is delivered in Arabic. Even if you don’t speak the language, the vivid delivery draws you into the stories. The setting is intentionally informal: you sit, listen, laugh and become part of an age-old storytelling culture. For anyone curious about Arabic culture or with roots in the region, the afternoon is both a lively piece of home and an act of bridge-building.