Arab Theatre Fest from Jan 9

MUSCAT, JAN 5

Oman is set to host the 15th edition of the Arab Theatre Festival from January 9 to 15, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, in partnership with the Arab Theatre Authority and the Omani Theatre Association. The festival will be held at three major venues: Al Bustan Palace Theatre, Al Irfan Theatre at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), and the Theatre of the College of Banking Studies. This vibrant cultural event will feature 15 theatrical performances from 13 Arab countries, with 11 competing for the prestigious Shaikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed al Qasimi Award for Best Arab Play. Sayyid Said bin Sultan al Busaidy, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture and Chairman of the festival’s organising committee, described the festival as a vital gathering for Arab artists, theatre professionals, and creatives, providing an opportunity to celebrate theatre and foster cultural exchange. The event will showcase over 500 theatre artists and include various complementary activities, such as an Omani crafts exhibition, an art gallery, 30 press conferences, and an intellectual conference exploring thought-provoking themes, including the intersection of theatre and artificial intelligence. Moreover, 33 books on Omani, Gulf and Arab theatre will be launched, with nine new titles spotlighting Omani theatre. The festival will also feature 370 titles from the Arab Theatre Authority’s publications. Al Busaidy emphasised that the festival aligns with Oman’s 2021–2040 cultural strategy, which seeks to enrich the nation’s cultural landscape and provide opportunities for Omani artists to engage in performances, training, and collaborative discussions. The festival will also honour five Omani entities for their contributions to theatre development, including Al Saidia Schools and the Omani Theatre Association. In addition to the performances, Palestinian artist Fathi Abdel Rahman will deliver the Arab Theatre Day message on January 10. To expand its reach, the festival will be live-streamed, and the Arab Theatre Authority has introduced the 'Studio 15' programme to offer daily analyses and discussions on the festival's activities. This year’s festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Arab theatre, creativity and shared cultural values.