The 19th Egyptian National Theatre Festival, chaired by actor Mohamed Riyad, hosted a seminar to discuss the book Esaad Younes… Lady of All Roles, published as part of the festival’s series honoring distinguished artists. The event was attended by Esaad Younes, festival president Mohamed Riyad, actor Ashraf Abdel Baky, who moderated the discussion, and the book’s author, journalist and writer Dr. Mohamed Fathy.
Opening the seminar, Ashraf Abdel Baky described Younes as an exceptional artistic and human figure whose success spans acting, writing, production, and media. Dr. Mohamed Fathy said the book explores not only her biography but also the artistic journey that enabled her to remain influential while combining creativity with leadership.
Expressing her gratitude for the honor, Younes said the recognition holds special meaning because it comes from the theatre, where her artistic career began. She reflected on her early experiences in radio, classical music, and theatre, recalling how these shaped her professional life.
She also shared memorable stories from her career, revealing that she declined the lead role in Raya and Sakina after actress Shadia’s retirement because she felt the responsibility was too great. Younes also recounted how a conversation with actress Soheir El Babli inspired her to write the iconic comedy Bekiza and Zaghloul, which later became one of Egypt’s most successful television productions.
The seminar concluded with an open discussion highlighting Younes’ enduring contributions to Egyptian theatre, television, cinema, media, and production, celebrating her as one of the country’s most influential cultural figures.
TunisianMonitorNews
