Salalah – The first edition of the Dhofar International Theatre Festival was inaugurated on 2nd October at the Al Murooj Theatre in Salalah. Organised by the Dhofar Municipality in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and the Omani Theatre Association, the festival is set to run until October 9.

The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of His Highness Sayyid Marwan bin Turki al Said, the Governor of Dhofar. In his address, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Mohsen al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality, emphasised that the festival marks a significant addition to the cultural journey of Dhofar. He highlighted its potential to showcase creativity and artistry from around the world, confirming the region’s role as a beacon of thought and cultural expression.

Dr. Al Ghassani underscored the importance of theatrical art as a means of fostering cultural dialogue between nations. He assured attendees that Dhofar Municipality is committed to providing the necessary facilities and support to ensure the festival’s success, which aims to enhance Oman’s cultural and artistic landscape while highlighting the nation’s authentic identity and rich heritage.

The opening ceremony featured a variety of visual presentations detailing the festival’s activities, notable participating artists, and the evaluation process for the competitions. Additionally, several artists from both Oman and abroad were honoured for their significant contributions to theatrical arts.

The festival will showcase a total of 35 theatrical performances involving 350 artists from 50 countries, competing across six categories. These include a Grand Shows Competition, a Public Theatre Shows Competition, a Children’s Theatre Shows Competition, a competition for street theatre and open theatre spaces, a Duo Theatre Competition, and a Monodrama Competition.

Furthermore, the festival will also organise three training sessions aimed at young theatre professionals, focusing on theatrical acting, improvisation, and directing. This inaugural festival seeks to invigorate Oman’s theatrical movement, integrate it with global theatre culture, and promote specialised tourism by attracting theatrical groups from around the world, facilitating cultural exchange within the realm of theatre.