The Beloved Zoukak Theatre Closes the Curtain on its Beirut Venue
Beirut is saying goodbye to one of its most vital cultural spaces. Zoukak Theatre has announced the closure of its physical space in Karantina. While the space itself will shut its doors, the initiative, collective, and artistic work of Zoukak will continue.
Founded in 2006, Zoukak emerged as a theatre collective rooted in social and political engagement. From the start, it positioned theatre as a shared space for reflection, collaboration, and resistance. It became a tool to confront marginalization and amplify voices often excluded from dominant narratives. Over nearly two decades, Zoukak has built a practice grounded in collective creation.
A Theatre Born in Crisis
Zoukak’s founding year coincided with the 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon, which displaced millions. In the years that followed, the collective remained present during moments of national trauma, including the displacement of Nahr El Bared camp residents in 2007. During these crises, Zoukak developed and applied a unique drama therapy and psychosocial theatre methodology.
Since then, their work has extended far beyond the stage. Zoukak has conducted workshops and interventions with incarcerated youth, children with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence, migrant domestic workers, and communities affected directly and indirectly by war.
From Studio to Cultural Landmark
Zoukak Studio was first established in 2008 in a small apartment, envisioned as an open space for artists and students to experiment, reflect, and collaborate. In 2016, the collective moved into a larger cultural venue in Karantina, near Beirut’s River Bridge.
The space included rehearsal rooms, a fully equipped black box theatre, a café/bar, and gathering areas for public events. It quickly became a cornerstone of Beirut’s independent arts scene, hosting performances, residencies, workshops, open studios, and international collaborations.
In August 2020, the Beirut port explosion severely damaged the theatre. After nearly two years of restoration, Zoukak reopened the space in 2022. Even during the 2024 Israeli war on Lebanon, the venue remained open. Zoukak hosted open mic nights and communal gatherings, offering space for poetry, music, storytelling, and collective healing.
Zoukak Continues
Before the doors officially close, Zoukak is inviting its community to gather one last time inside the Karantina space. The closing celebrations will culminate in their one-day Bazaar, offering the public a rare chance to take home pieces of the theatre’s history. Costumes, props, furniture, and objects collected over years of performances, rehearsals, and late nights will be available.
Later that day, they’re hosting Zoukak Theatre’s Closing Mic, an open mic event that has, since 2023, served as a space to speak, reflect, and create in the face of ongoing violence and uncertainty. This final edition marks both Zoukak’s 20th anniversary and a farewell to the venue.
Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
Time: 2 PM until 7 PM (the Open Mic starts at 7 PM)
Location: Zoukak Theatre, Karantina
For more information, make sure to check out their website and Instagram!
