Muscat – Represented by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MCSY), Oman will host the 15th edition of Arab Theatre Festival from January 9 to 15 in collaboration with Arab Theatre Authority and Omani Theatre Society.

The event will feature more than 15 performances by groups from Oman and abroad, showcasing the diverse and rich traditions of Arab theatre.

The performances will be held at three venues – Al Bustan Palace Theatre, Al Irfan Theatre at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, and College of Banking and Finance.

H E Sayyid Said bin Sultan al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Culture in MCSY, and Chairman of the Main Committee of the festival, emphasised the fact that it is an important platform that brings together an elite group of Arab artists, theatre professionals, writers and directors.

The festival aims to celebrate theatre and strengthen its role in promoting culture and creativity across the Arab world.

According to H E Busaidi, this edition of the festival will include an exhibition of Omani handicrafts and an art exhibition, besides a conference featuring research papers on topics such as ‘Theatre and Artificial Intelligence: The Struggle for Control and the Revolution of Human Creativity’.

Additionally, 33 books on Omani, Gulf and Arab theatre will be showcased.

The Arab Theatre Day message will be delivered by Palestinian artist Fathi Abdul Rahman on January 10.

H E Busaidi added that the festival aligns with MCSY’s cultural strategy for 2021-2040, which aims to boost Oman’s theatre movement. The strategy also aims to provide Omani theatre artists opportunities for international performances, training sessions and discussions that will enrich the country’s cultural and arts scene.