Egyptian theatre expert Mazen El-Gharbawi, the technical advisor to the Dhofar International Theatre Festival, has praised the success of the festival's second edition, citing the combined efforts of the team and support from Dhofar Governorate. El-Gharbawi emphasized that the success was not solely the result of individual effort, but rather a collective endeavor led by Ammar bin Obad Ghawas, the festival's president, and Ahmed Al-Rawas, the festival's director.
El-Gharbawi expressed his gratitude to Dhofar Governor Marwan bin Turki Al Said and Dr. Ahmed bin Mohsen Al-Ghasani, head of Dhofar Municipality and the festival's executive committee, for their support, which he considers crucial to the festival's growth. The second edition of the festival witnessed significant public participation, with audiences engaging with performances and stars from various Arab and foreign countries.
Notable participants included Egyptian and Omani actors such as Ahmed Helmy, Ayman Zidan, Asaad Fadel, Jamal Suleiman, Sharif Munir, and Yasser Jalal, as well as members of the judging panels. El-Gharbawi highlighted the introduction of the "Elite Track" as a key addition to the festival, which invited performances that had previously won awards at major festivals to compete for the best overall performance award.
El-Gharbawi described the selection process for participating performances as rigorous, involving screening and evaluation by committees for each track. This process ensured a diverse program and maintained the festival's identity. The variety of performances allowed the audience to experience different theatrical experiments, with the primary goal of delivering high-quality content that resonated with the audience.
The festival's impact on tourism in Salalah was also noted, with El-Gharbawi stating that showcasing the city's natural and tourist attractions was a key objective. The presence of international stars and their sharing of experiences on social media helped promote Dhofar's attractions, contributing to the success of Oman's tourism season.
El-Gharbawi emphasized that the second edition's success reflected the festival's growth since its inception, attributing the achievement to "divine favor and the efforts of everyone involved, big and small." The festival's continued success is seen as a positive development for the Omani theatre scene and a celebration of cultural exchange between Arab and international artists.
As the festival continues to grow, it is expected to further establish Dhofar as a hub for cultural and artistic events in the region, providing a platform for local and international talent to showcase their work. The success of the second edition sets a promising precedent for future editions, with El-Gharbawi and the festival team likely to build on this momentum.
Key points
- The introduction of the "Elite Track" added a new dimension to the festival, allowing award-winning performances to compete for a top honor.
- The festival's success was attributed to the combined efforts of the team, support from Dhofar Governorate, and the engagement of the audience.
- The event had a positive impact on tourism in Salalah, promoting the city's natural and tourist attractions through the presence of international stars.
