Arab Children's Theatre Festival Kicks Off in Zarqa

Zarqa, October 16 (Petra) Omar Damrah — The activities of the sixth edition of the Arab Children's Theatre Festival kicked off on Friday at the King Abdullah II Cultural Center in Zarqa, under the slogan "Give Us Childhood," under the patronage of the representative of the Minister of Culture, the Ministry's Secretary-General Dr. Nidal Al-Ayasrah, and in the presence of the representative of the Zarqa Governor, the Assistant Governor of the Rusaifa District Awda Al-Ayasrah, and the Director of Culture in Zarqa, Mohammed Al-Zoubi.

The opening activities were also attended by the head of the Syrian Artists Syndicate, Mazen Al-Natour, the Secretary-General of the International Union of Arab Intellectuals, Dr. Jamal Ahmed Hussein, the head of the festival's higher committee, Ihab Bali, and the festival director, director Sami Al-Majali, along with a gathering of artists, critics, representatives of cultural bodies, participating Arab delegations, and members of the local community.

The festival, whose activities continue until October 19 this year, is organized by the Cultural Children's Club Association in cooperation with the Zarqa Culture Directorate. It includes theatrical performances from Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia, and Egypt, in an artistic gathering that brings together Arab theatrical experiences directed at children and provides an opportunity for cultural exchange and the cross-pollination of ideas and creative experiences.

Dr. Al-Ayasrah stressed, during his speech at the opening ceremony, that the festival presents an integrated cultural experience that goes beyond theatrical performances to seminars, training workshops, and cultural dialogues, which contributes to consolidating theatrical culture among children, developing their artistic awareness, and opening broader horizons for their talents and creative abilities.

He said that theater, with its expressive tools including lighting, music, engaging dramatic stories, and interactive performance, constitutes an effective means of addressing children's minds and emotions and conveying awareness and educational messages in artistic ways close to their world, combining pleasure and knowledge and instilling humanitarian and educational values in their souls.

He added that the Ministry of Culture is working, within the framework of the administrative modernization program, to enhance the presence of children's culture by establishing a directorate specialized in children's culture in the capital, Amman, and childhood departments in the Kingdom's governorates, in addition to paying attention to libraries and publications directed at children, including "Wissam" magazine, noting the ministry's orientation towards holding a festival for children's songs.

Al-Ayasrah noted that the popular bazaar held on the sidelines of the festival represents a window onto national identity and popular heritage, through the handicraft products and traditional dishes it displays that embody the diversity and authenticity of Jordanian culture and give new generations the opportunity to learn about features of their local heritage.

For his part, the festival director, director Sami Al-Majali, said that those in charge of the festival always seek to develop its activities and elevate its artistic and educational content, based on the belief in the importance of presenting performances that respect children's minds, enrich their imagination, develop their artistic taste and their critical and analytical sense, and contribute to building their cultural awareness.

Al-Majali expressed his appreciation for the supporting and organizing bodies and everyone who contributed to the success of the festival, praising the participation of Arab delegations that enrich the theatrical experience, enhance communication between artists and theatrical teams, and expand opportunities for cooperation and exchange of expertise.

The opening ceremony included a musical operetta and artistic segments presented by students of the Wisdom Schools, along with honoring the festival's figures in appreciation of their creative journey and their contributions to enriching the artistic and cultural movement, namely producer Mohammed Al-Majali, director Khamis Majdalawieh, and artist Khaled Maslamani, along with honoring a number of artistic figures supporting the festival, in appreciation of their giving in serving art and theater and enhancing their presence in the cultural scene.

Following the opening ceremony, the Jordanian play "Guardians of the Stars" was performed, written by Yousef Naji, conceived and directed by Suhad Al-Zoubi, and featuring actors Ahmed Jizawi, Hanin Awali, Mohammed Shahadeh, and Sumaya Abu Hantash, within an artistic program aimed at presenting theatrical experiences that combine imagination, pleasure, and learning, and carry humanitarian and educational messages to children in creative, attractive ways.

--(Petra) A D/M Q

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