Muscat: The five-day Dhofar Theatre Festival, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, in the Governorate of Dhofar, was inaugurated on Thursday under the auspices of Dr Ahmed bin Mohsin al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality. A large number of dignitaries and theatre representatives attended the opening day event.
In his opening remarks, Hamed al Masheikhi, Director of Culture in Dhofar Governorate, said, "With great pleasure, we gathered in this cultural incubator of knowledge to witness collective youth works and to celebrate skills in theatre and playwrights. This festival has been organised to achieve the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which emphasises the importance of such festivals to care for the Omani youth and encourage them to participate in creative activities."
This year's Dhofar Theatre Festival, he said, "features theatre groups from Mirbat, Taqah, Awfir, Salalah and Ubar. The work of two prominent artists, the late Mohammed al Yafei and Abdullah al Shanfari, will be performed as well.
The Sultanate of Oman, the official said, attaches great importance to heritage, culture and youth in particular by providing all means of support and assistance to them in various forums that are held at the regional and international levels, whether from a cultural or sports aspect.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth seeks to promote ways of showing cultural heritage in various forums, as well as encouraging those interested in the matter by providing an appropriate environment for practising various activities, whether in local or international festivals.
The participants expressed thanks to the parties supporting them, and that it is not only at the financial level, but also in the field of education and training, including developing the skills of young people in various fields that serve the comprehensive development goals in the country by providing an environment that supports artistic innovation.
Some of the attendees welcomed the festival as a reflection of the ministry's efforts to enhance the role of the culture sector in spreading awareness of the importance of cultural theatre to spread social awareness among the younger generation.
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