Sultan Al Qasimi joins the opening of 34th Sharjah Theatre Days

Photo : Sharjah Govt Media Bureau

The 34th Sharjah Theatre Days started at the Cultural Palace in Sharjah. His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, attended the event. The festival is organised by the Department of Culture and will run until February 26. Many theatre groups, actors, and experts from Arab countries have come to take part. The event includes plays, talks, and workshops.

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Six plays are in the competition this year, and 15 plays will be performed in total. Theatre artists and researchers from different Arab countries are also joining. The plays competing for awards include Elkat Saleh by Sharjah Modern Theatre Group, Screams from the Abyss by Kalba Folk Arts and Theatre Association, Fire Brides by Khorfakkan Arts Theatre, Heel and Half Shoe by Yas Theatre, Drag Your Plow by Dibba Al-Hisn Association for Culture, Heritage and Theatre, and Baba by Sharjah National Theatre Group.

Apart from these, six more plays will be shown outside the competition. These include Waiting for the Family by Fujairah Theatre, The Day After Love by Dibba Society for Culture, Arts and Theatre, Lottery by Al Ain Popular Theatre, Arj Al Sawahil by Umm Al Quwain National Theatre, Daq Khushoom by Dubai National Theatre, and Cotton Mice by Dubai Al Ahli Theatre. Two plays from the Kalba Short Plays Festival will also be presented—Farewell Song, which won the Best Show Award, and The Sanctuary, which won the Best Scenography Award.

At the opening, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi gave special awards to honour theatre artists. The "Local Personality Award" was given to Emirati artist Maryam Sultan for her long years in UAE theatre since the 1970s. A short film about her life and work was shown. The "Sharjah Award for Arab Theatrical Creativity" went to Syrian artist Asaad Fadda for his great work in acting, directing, and theatre management. Another video about his career and love for theatre was played. The "Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Award for Best Arab Theatrical Work 2024" was given to the Opera Theatre Company from Tunisia for their play Al-Bukhara. The show’s director, Sadiq Trabelsi, accepted the award.

A group of theatre experts was introduced at the event as the jury. The judges are Emirati actor and writer Abdullah Rashid, Tunisian director Ghazi Zaghbani, Algerian director Dr Lakhdar Mansouri, Egyptian critic Dr Yasmine Faraj, and Moroccan writer and director Dr Abdelmajid Shakir.

The 13th Sharjah Forum for Arab Theatre Pioneers is also part of the festival. This forum brings the best theatre students from Arab countries. It allows young talents to watch plays, meet top theatre artists, and learn about Sharjah’s culture. Students from Kuwait, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Tunisia are joining. They will attend lectures on stage design, directing, and acting. They will also visit famous places in Sharjah.

A special event, called "Criticism: Memory of Arab Theatre," will have theatre experts talking about the history of Arab theatre. There will also be seminars on different topics. One talk will discuss "Andalusia in Arab Theatre," which looks at how plays show the loss of Andalusia. Another talk, "Theatre and the Art of Maqama," will explore old Arabic storytelling and how it affects modern theatre. A third talk, "Theatre and Enlightenment," will explain how theatre helps people learn and brings progress to society.

The festival will also have a special discussion with artist Asaad Fadda about his work. Another session will honour Maryam Sultan and celebrate her long career in theatre.

Many important people attended the opening, including His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi, Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ruler’s Office, Sheikh Eng. Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Majid Al Qasimi, Director of the Department of Municipal Affairs, and other top officials, artists, writers, media persons, and theatre lovers. The festival is a big event for theatre in the Arab world, bringing together actors and audiences who love storytelling and performance.

Feb. 20, 2025 4:49 p.m. 395

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