((Jaras)) the Tunisian play wins the awards for Best Show and Best Director at the Zarqa Summer Theater Festival
Amman3 min read
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The 24th edition of the Zarqa Summer Theater Festival, organized by the Zarqa Theater Arts Troupe Association, concluded at the Habib Al-Zyoudi Theater in the King Abdullah II Cultural Center in Zarqa. The Tunisian play "Jaras" (Bell) by the National Theater Troupe was announced as the winner of the Best Integrated Theatrical Work award, while its director, Assem Bettouhami, won the award for Best Director, amidst competition that included performances from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Tunisia, Iraq, and the Sultanate of Oman.
The closing ceremony was attended by the Director of Culture of Zarqa, Mohammed Al-Zoubi, the head of the Jordanian Artists Association, Hani Al-Jarrah, the head of the festival's supreme committee, artist Abeer Issa, and festival director Khaled Al-Maslamani, alongside participating theatrical delegations and a number of artists, writers, critics, and those interested in cultural affairs.
The jury, chaired by Syrian artist Zainati Qudsia and including Egyptian director Adel Hassan and Jordanian Dr. Najwa Qandaqji, announced the results of the competition, which included awards for lighting, scenography, music, script, acting, directing, and integrated theatrical work, in addition to two special jury awards and a certificate of appreciation and excellence.
In the technical awards, Mohammed Raouf won the Best Lighting award for his lighting design for the Saudi play "Hatta Yagheeb Al-Amal" (Until Hope Fades), while the Best Scenography award went to Ihab Mandara for his set design for the Tunisian National Theater Troupe's "Jaras".
Hani Al-Hammadi received the Best Music award for the music of "Jaras", while writer Abdulaziz Al-Yousef won the Best Arabic Theatrical Script award for the script of "Hatta Yagheeb Al-Amal" from Saudi Arabia.
In acting, Hassan Al-Ali won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in "Hatta Yagheeb Al-Amal", while Muthanna Al-Qawasmeh received the Best Lead Actor award for his role in the Jordanian play "Sarab" (Mirage). The Best Supporting Actress award went to Ma'alem Ibrahim for her role in "Hatta Yagheeb Al-Amal", while Omaima Sarhan won the Best Lead Actress award for her role in the Palestinian play "Bada'e" (Goods).
In directing, Assem Bettouhami won for "Jaras", which also took the award for Best Integrated Theatrical Work.
The jury granted its special award for collective performance to the Iraqi play "Abna' Al-Ard" (Children of the Earth), while the Jordanian play "Sarab" received the special jury award for excellence in teamwork.
The committee also granted a certificate of appreciation and excellence to artist Sami Al-Busaidi in recognition of his performance and direction of the theatrical play "Ala Qari'at Al-Nisyan" (On the Verge of Oblivion) from the Sultanate of Oman.
The festival's activities began on the 12th of this month under the patronage of Minister of Culture Mustafa Al-Rawashdeh, with the participation of theatrical troupes from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, Iraq, Palestine, and Tunisia. The program included theatrical performances, seminars, and artistic workshops, which provided a space for dialogue and the exchange of experiences among theater professionals and creators, in addition to honoring Iraqi theater artist and director Jawad Al-Assadi and Jordanian producer Issam Al-Hijjawi in recognition of their careers and contributions to the theatrical and artistic scene.
