One of the luxurious nights of Riyadh, which we lived before yesterday. Riyadh is vibrant with continuous activities, and is present in the international scene. Yes, the theatre, this luxurious and majestic term that was described as the father and master of the arts, detonating the geniuses of the actors whose stage represents the launching pad for their stardom in cinema and television drama. The theater that mankind knew thousands of years ago and its evidence is still present and bear witness to ancient artistic civilizations.
Here in the Kingdom, we are now talking about theater, and it is not new to it. Our generation knew it in schools, and we got to know it more in our university stage, when the King Saud University theater, for example, was at the peak of its glow, with most of the artists who later became stars on its stage. However, theater, like other arts, has become a relic after an eye as a result of the unjust razing that happened to our cultural and social life. But we are now living in the stage of cultural enlightenment, the emanation of the light of the national vision, which brought back to life its beauty, splendor, and joy. The pulse and warmth returned to everything, including the theater, which made a different comeback, not only betting on the present, but also wanting to enter the future with strong competitiveness with the oldest world theaters.
This is not a personal theorizing nor a daydream, but rather plans, strategies, intense and tireless work and specialized cadres since the establishment of the Theater and Performing Arts Authority, which despite its short life has grown up and the signs of maturity have begun to be evident in its activity. The CEO of the Authority, everyone's friend, Mr. Sultan Al-Bazai, invited us to participate in the Authority's celebration of the International Theater Day. Before talking about the celebration, it is necessary to talk about the most important thing. Our brother Sultan gathered us in an intimate tent after a delicious breakfast, and on the aroma and taste of Saudi coffee to talk about the Authority's strategy, programs and initiatives. And its activities and aspirations are under a vision aimed at “inspiring performances with exceptional talents,” and a message that “stimulates the development and growth of the theater and performing arts sector by empowering Saudi talents to build successful careers and create content that inspires audiences.” However, this vision and message, which are summarized in a few words, requires a lot of work carried out by the authority with great activity and passion, and through many paths and initiatives that were divided into three phases, starting from 2021 to 2030, and what was accomplished in the first phase, according to statistics and indicators. The results confirm that we are moving towards a high-quality theater movement that is widespread and capable of competition and excellence.
Theater culture is beginning to spread beautifully in society. In the celebration of the International Theater Day, the Princess Noura University theater was full of attendees from all age groups of both sexes, talks and discussions about the theater and its affairs and concerns, the theatrical text competition revealed to us creative mines from all parts of the country, and the joyful night was concluded with a play in which all elements of creativity were integrated, so that we would go out After that, from that huge, luxurious civilizational edifice, we are more proud, ecstatic, and proud of this country, which celebrates every beautiful meaning.
Hammoud Abu Talib
