At the ceremony, which was attended by the head of the Jordanian Artists Association, Dr. Hani Al-Jarrah, the Director of the Theater and Visual Arts Directorate, director Ishaq Yassin, a wide range of artists, critics, and those interested in cultural and theatrical affairs, along with the public, Al-Ahmad pointed out that theater represents a school for raising awareness and documenting the Jordanian narrative, "the story of the land and the human," in addition to being a fundamental pillar in creative cultural industries and knowledge economies, which allow young people to invest their energies and turn their talents into a real source of income, and open up broad investment horizons for them.
He indicated that the launch of the professional festival comes within a comprehensive vision and plan to modernize the concept of the "theatrical season" and develop the artistic movement in the Kingdom.
Al-Ahmad noted that theater, as the "father of the arts," remains a historical school for expressing human conscience and its value and moral system, and plays a firm role in documenting the Jordanian narrative and the story of the land and the human, through artistic visions that blend the authenticity of the past, the understanding of the present, and the anticipation of the future.
During the ceremony, which was presented by artist Alaa Al-Jamal, he stressed the importance of theater as a creative cultural industry that goes beyond abstract art to intersect with knowledge economies, which provides young people with new opportunities for investment and turning their talents and artistic hobbies into a sustainable source of income, through new markets based on art and creativity.
On behalf of the Ministry of Culture, Al-Ahmad offered condolences and sympathy to the artistic community on the passing of the musician and arranger, the late artist Murad Damirjian, who was supposed to participate in this edition, praising his artistic career full of creativity and giving, and confirming that his works will remain a living and immortal legacy in the conscience of generations.
The opening ceremony included a film presentation about the participating theatrical performances, and an artistic segment in which the "Voice of Jordan" band from Ramtha participated, presenting performance pieces of Dabke and Samer arts that drew from the Jordanian popular artistic heritage, accompanied by national and folk songs.
The performances began with the play "Central Island," directed by Karam Al-Zawahreh, based on a text by writer Hazza Al-Barari.
The festival's activities, which last for 8 days, include practical seminars on the performances.
The festival awards prizes for: Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Local Script, Best Music, Best Scenography, Best Director, and Best Integrated Performance.
The festival comes in the context of efforts aimed at strengthening the role of theaters in stimulating the artistic movement, expanding the audience base, and establishing creative arts as a fundamental tributary for societal and intellectual development.
The festival's supreme committee included the Ministry's Secretary-General, Dr. Nidal Al-Ahmad, the head of the Artists Association, director Dr. Hani Al-Jarrah, director Dr. Mohammed Al-Shara, director Dr. Najwa Qandaqji, director Mohammed Al-Dmour, and director Ishaq Yassin.
The jury was formed with artist Habes Hussein as president, and the membership of theater practitioner and journalist Ahmed Al-Tarawneh, director Ahmed Al-Maghribi, director Dr. Al-Hakim Masoud, and artist Hala Khoury.
The festival program continues tomorrow, Tuesday, with the play "Exercise on Freedom" by director Firas Al-Masri, while the play "Waiting for Salvation" by director Dr. Yahya Al-Bashtawi will be shown the day after tomorrow, Wednesday.
Next Thursday will witness the screening of the play "Women's Autumn" by director Dr. Iyad Al-Rimouni, while next Friday the play "What Cannot Be Lived" by director Dana Abu Laban will be shown.
Next Saturday, the play "The Chair" by director Dr. Majd Al-Qasas will be shown, while the performances will conclude next Sunday with the play "Universe" by director Hisham Sweidan.
