{"id":55161,"date":"2019-03-30T23:00:37","date_gmt":"2019-03-30T20:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thefreedomtheatre.org\/?p=55161"},"modified":"2026-01-18T15:33:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T15:33:20","slug":"the-freedom-theatre-presents-the-little-lantern","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thefreedomtheatre.org\/ar\/2019\/03\/the-freedom-theatre-presents-the-little-lantern\/","title":{"rendered":"The Little Lantern"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Freedom Theatre Production (2019)<\/strong>
\nWritten by:<\/strong> Ghassan Kanafani
\nDirected by:<\/strong> Ahmed Tobasi
\nPerformed by:<\/strong> Henna Haj Hassan, Ranin Odeh, Shahd Samara, Khalil Al-Batran, Motasem Abu Hasan, Ayman Hassanin, Ahmed Tobasi
\nScenography & Set Design:<\/strong> Ahmed Matahen
\nLighting:<\/strong> Adnan Naghnaghia
\nSound Engineering:<\/strong> Sami Al-Sadi
\nCostumes:<\/strong> Dawlat Shaaban
\nPhotography & Media:<\/strong> Mohammad Moawia<\/p>\n

Producer:<\/strong> Mustafa Sheta<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

About the Play<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Little Lantern<\/em> is a landmark children\u2019s production, originally the first ever play produced by Juliano Mer Khamis<\/strong> under the name \u2018Stone Theatre\u2019, and a foundational work of The Freedom Theatre. Based on the novel by Ghassan Kanafani<\/strong>, the play teaches children the virtues of modesty, courage, and bridging the gaps between rich and poor.<\/p>\n

The story follows a young princess whose father, a wise and honorable king, has passed away. In his final will, he instructs her that in order to ascend the throne, she must bring the sun into the castle<\/strong>. Determined, the princess embarks on a quest to accomplish this seemingly impossible task. She offers gems and rewards to anyone who can help, yet no one succeeds.<\/p>\n

In despair, the princess retreats to her room, only to be inspired by the words of an old man carrying a small lantern. Gathering all the lantern-bearers of the kingdom, she discovers that the \u201csun\u201d<\/strong> is not a single object but the collective light of many. By opening the castle walls to everyone, she realizes that unity, perseverance, and collaboration bring the kingdom\u2019s vision to life.<\/p>\n

Origins and Significance<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Little Lantern<\/em> is a story by Ghassan Kanafani<\/strong>, a pioneer of Palestinian resistance literature. This theatrical adaptation, directed by Ahmed Tobasi<\/strong>, was the first children\u2019s production created by the team that would become The Freedom Theatre. It embodies the Theatre\u2019s long-standing mission to teach values, empower children, and cultivate a sense of community through storytelling and performance.<\/p>\n

Since its debut at The Freedom Theatre in February 2019<\/strong>, the play has toured across the West Bank, including Ramallah<\/strong> and the Children\u2019s Theatre Festival in Bethlehem<\/strong>, reaching children in schools, cultural centres, and theatres.<\/p>\n

Artistic Approach<\/strong><\/p>\n