Oman Hosts 15th Arab Theatre Festival Under the Patronage of Theyazin bin Haitham
Muscat, The Gulf Observer: His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth, inaugurated the 15th edition of the Arab Theatre Festival at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre today. The festival, hosted by the Sultanate of Oman in partnership with the Arab Theatre Authority and Oman Theatre Society, will run until January 15, 2025.
During the opening ceremony, Sayyid Said Sultan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth for Culture and Chairman of the festival’s Main Committee, highlighted the Arab Theatre Authority’s contributions over the past 15 years. He noted that the authority has enriched Arab cultural communities by supporting theatre activities across the region, emphasizing theatre’s pivotal role as a powerful medium of human expression.
Palestinian artist and theatre director Fat’hi Abdul-Rahman delivered the annual “Arab Theatre Day” message, commemorated on January 10.
The event featured a musical performance by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) Women’s Band and the screening of a festival film introducing the troupes and performances participating in this year’s festival.
Honoring Excellence in Theatre
Several organizations and individuals were recognized for their contributions to Omani theatre. Honorees included Al Saidi Schools, club theatres, the Youth Theatre, Al Sahwa National Theatre Troupe, and the Oman Theatre Society. Palestinian artist Fat’hi Abdul-Rahman was also honored for his outstanding contributions to Arab theatre.
A Showcase of Theatrical Excellence
The festival presents 15 exceptional theatrical performances from Oman and other Arab countries, staged across three venues: Al Bustan Palace Theatre, Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (Al Irfan), and the College of Banking Studies.
Bringing together approximately 500 Arab artists, the festival serves as a forum for distinguished writers, directors, and theatre specialists to discuss the future of theatre as a cultural and innovative art form in the Arab world.
Enriching Activities and Exhibitions
In addition to performances, the festival offers a diverse range of activities, including:
- An exhibition of Omani handicrafts
- An art exhibition
- 28 press conferences
- A scholarly workshop on theatre, artificial intelligence, and innovation
The festival reinforces Oman’s commitment to fostering cultural exchange and innovation through theatre, cementing its position as a key hub for Arab arts and culture.
