The 7th Gulf Universities Theater Festival Honors Kuwaiti Artist Saad Al-Faraj in Oman
Muscat, Sept 23 (KUNA) -- The 7th Theater Festival of Universities and Higher Education Institutions in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries honored Kuwaiti artist Saad Al-Faraj and Omani artist Fakhriya Al-Khamsi on Wednesday as the festival opened its activities in Salalah, Sultanate of Oman.
This recognition, attended by Omani Minister of Labor Dr. Mohamad Ba'ouin, is a tribute to the artists' artistic contributions and their role in enriching the GCC theater and drama scene, as well as the works they have presented over decades that have cemented their presence in the memory of Gulf and Arab audiences.
In his opening address, Dr. Saad Al-Rubaie, President of the Technical and Applied Sciences University (the festival's organizer), stated that "human culture, awareness, and creativity represent the beating heart of the continued solidarity among GCC countries and societies, as they open spaces for mutual understanding and give young generations the opportunity to see the other as an extension of themselves, making diversity a source of enrichment and sustainability."
Al-Rubaie added that successful modern universities bet on preparing human resources that combine intellectual development with the ability for teamwork, responsibility, expression, listening, and dialogue, "values that are practically and vividly embodied in university theater."
He affirmed that the university's hosting of the festival represents a cultural and youth event and an opportunity to strengthen bridges of communication among GCC universities and higher education institutions, contributing to enriching the university theater movement and highlighting the talents, creativity, and experiences that GCC countries possess.
For his part, Dr. Ahmad Al-Shahri, Assistant President of the University in Salalah and Chairman of the Festival Supervisory Committee, said that the university's hosting of the festival reflects its commitment to supporting youth creativity and enhancing cultural cooperation among students from GCC countries.
Al-Shahri added that the festival serves as a Gulf platform for discovering and refining young theatrical talents and highlighting the creative energies of students, alongside its role in instilling values of dialogue, communication, and understanding among the youth of GCC countries through the accompanying performances and cultural and artistic activities.
The Technical and Applied Sciences University in Oman, under the supervision of the General Secretariat of the GCC, is organizing the festival, which will continue until September 29 under the slogan "Our Heritage Unites Us, Our Theater Brings Us Together." The festival features theater troupes representing universities and higher education institutions in GCC countries, along with a number of academics, theater enthusiasts, and a group of pioneers in Gulf art and theater.
The festival includes five theatrical performances: "A Poet on the Moon" by Kuwait University; "A Life of Paper" by the Technical and Applied Sciences University in Oman; "The Manager is the Manager" by Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Saudi Arabia; "Back to Back" by King Khalid University in Saudi Arabia; and "The Barber" by King Saud University in Saudi Arabia. Each performance is followed by a specialized critical session.
The festival program also includes an intellectual dialogue session on the role of theater in building personality and strengthening identity and values among youth, as well as its role in building the individual and society and shaping the future, with the participation of a select group of artists, academics, and specialists in the Gulf theater scene.
The program also includes training workshops, critical sessions, and dialogue meetings, along with the participation of several artists and theater practitioners in presenting "Messages of Theater," which address the role of theater in instilling awareness, strengthening identity, nurturing creativity, and creating social impact.
The jury for the theatrical performances, chaired by Dr. Abdul Karim Jawad from Oman, includes a select group of theater practitioners and academics from GCC countries: Qatari artist Ghanim Al-Sulaiti, Kuwaiti academic Dr. Ibtisam Al-Hamadi, Saudi theater practitioner Abbas Al-Haik, and Bahraini theater practitioner Khalid Al-Ruwayi.
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