Wajdi Mouawad is a Lebanese-born Canadian playwright, director, and novelist renowned for his powerful storytelling and distinctive theatrical vision. Born in Lebanon on October 16, 1968, he fled the civil war at age eight, eventually settling in Quebec after periods of exile in Paris. His acclaimed stage works include the epic quartet "Le sang des promesses" ("The Blood of Promises"), comprising "Littoral" ("Tideline"), "Incendies" ("Scorched"), "Forêts" ("Forests"), and "Ciels" ("Heavens"). His plays have been translated into over twenty languages and performed globally, establishing him as a leading figure in contemporary theatre.
Mouawad's career spans acting, directing, and writing, with a focus on themes of exile, identity, and trauma. After graduating from Canada's National Theatre School in 1991, he co-founded Théâtre Ô Parleur and later led Montreal's Théâtre de Quat’Sous. His directorial repertoire includes adaptations of classics like Sophocles' "Œdipe Roi" and Shakespeare's "Macbeth," alongside original works such as "Pacamambo," a children's story, and the novels "Visage retrouvé" and "Anima." His 2003 play "Incendies" gained international recognition, including a film adaptation nomination for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
In addition to his creative output, Mouawad has held significant leadership roles, including artistic director of Ottawa's Théâtre français du Centre national des Arts and Paris's Théâtre de la Colline. Honored as the 2009 Festival d’Avignon's associate artist, his works continue to resonate for their emotional depth and exploration of human resilience. Mouawad remains active in theatre, blending writing and directing while engaging with universal narratives of displacement and belonging.