Sultan Al Qasimi Launches Award To Promote Youth Theatre Excellence In The Arab World
H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, presided over a meeting at the Arab Theatre Institute's headquarters in Sharjah. He announced the launch of the "Sultan Al Qasimi Award for Youth Theatre Excellence." This initiative aims to enhance school theatre by organising national and Arab festivals to raise awareness about theatre's educational and cultural significance.
During the meeting, H.H. praised the efforts of Council members from various Arab countries in advancing the artistic movement. He highlighted their role in promoting theatre's message and its impact on societal progress and awareness. The newly introduced award is dedicated to recognising young people's creativity and contributions to developing Arab theatre.
H.H. instructed the Arab Theatre Authority to prioritise school theatre across Arab nations. This involves launching national school theatre festivals and organising the Arab School Theatre Festival. The aim is to engage broadly with the educational and cultural movement of school theatre, nurturing an audience that appreciates its academic and social roles.
The Ruler of Sharjah also emphasised documenting Arab theatrical history and supporting researchers in various theatre fields. To facilitate this, he ordered the creation of the Arab Centre for Documentation, Studies, and Research. This centre will focus on organising studies in Arab theatre, documenting historical developments, and expanding comparative studies within a broader human context.
H.H. stressed the importance of advancing theatre across the Arab world, reaffirming his support in various sectors. This includes academic training for new generations in artistic disciplines through specialised programmes at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy. Such initiatives are crucial for nurturing artists' talents, vital for theatre's growth.
Sharjah continues to support its vibrant theatre scene through diverse festivals like Sharjah Theatre Days. An additional permanent budget has been allocated to present these plays throughout the year across all Emirates, aiming to reach audiences everywhere.
Plans for Future Initiatives
The meeting also discussed plans supporting ambitious projects in theatre development. These initiatives aim to enhance skills among theatre professionals across specialisations by providing resources through training workshops, theatrical events, and other programmes.
The meeting reviewed activity reports from previous periods, highlighting progress in school theatre development. This included training teachers and supervisors involved in theatre activities and curricula, showcasing a strong focus on scientific foundations.
H.H. engaged with theatre professionals about the state of Arab theatre and its practitioners generally. He emphasised benefiting from shared expertise among Arabs while providing support and offering performances that enhance audiences' artistic tastes.
The discussions underscored efforts to introduce schoolchildren to theatre early on by encouraging participation in artistic activities. The initiative aims at fostering an appreciation for culture among young audiences.
With inputs from WAM
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