Palestinian National Theatre
The Palestinian National Theatre or El-Hakawati Theatre is a Palestinian-owned theatre in Jerusalem's American Colony neighbourhood, near New Orient House. established on May 9th 1984 by the El-Hakawati theatre troupe.the most notable of its founders are Radi Shhadah and François Abou Salem
In 1989, guest performance by the El-Hakawati Theatre at The Public Theater, New York City, was cancelled by Joseph Papp, as he said that he was afraid that the play would ""offend" Jews who "constitute a high proportion of the theater audience in any city, but especially in New York.""
History and general information
The PNT was founded by the Palestinian El-Hakawati Theatre Company. After one year, the management of the center was handed over to a board of directors composed of artists, writers, and notable persons in the Palestinian community.1989 tour
In the summer of 1989, the theater planned a seven-city U.S. tour of its play The Story of Kufur Shamma, about a young man, Walid, who returns from Cairo in 1948 to find his familial village abandoned and subsequently spends 40 years finding his far-flung family members and community. Papp had agreed to host the company at the Public but backed out; the play was staged at the Dance Theater Workshop instead.Mission and objectives
The Palestinian National Theatre is a Palestinian non profit cultural institution which strives to create and to develop a unique cultural life in Jerusalem.Main projects and activities
The PNT shall work on the basis of a national cultural policy that stems its spiritual strength from the pluralistic history, culture and heritage of Palestine.Its aim is to raise the literary and intellectual awareness of Palestinians by expanding their horizons and developing their awareness in order to produce a community of people that have confidence and pride in themselves and respect for the differences of others.