News & Event

The tenth edition of the School Theatre Festival kicked off under the slogan "Culture and Empowerment." The five-days festival is organized by the Ministry of Education, represented by the Career Guidance and Student Counseling Centre, and is held at the Muscat Education Directorate Theatre at Doha Al Adab School.

The opening ceremony was patronized by HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Nadabi, Secretary General of the Shura Council, in the presence of HE Prof. Dr. Abdullah bin Khamis Ambosaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education, and a number of directors general, with the participation of an elite group of artists, theater, television and radio personalities from within and outside the Sultanate of Oman.

Before the opening of the festival, HE the patronage of the occasion and the attendees toured the exhibition of the visual arts competition launched this year by the main committee of the festival, under the title “Celebrating the Al Busaidi State”. The exhibition included (40) artistic works of paintings and artistic sculptures produced by students from all educational directorates in the governorates, with the aim of developing the artistic and cultural sense among students and strengthening the spirit of belonging and connection to their national history through spaces of free creativity and purposeful artistic expression.

On this occasion, HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Haddabi, Secretary-General of the Shura Council, affirmed that the Ministry of Education is paying increasing attention to school theatre, which is celebrated annually for its effective role in providing students with a platform to showcase their artistic and theatrical talents and abilities. It also represents an opportunity for interested students from various schools to join this activity in the future.

HE Prof. Dr. Abdullah bin Khamis Ambosaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education, emphasized that school theater plays a fundamental role that goes beyond artistic work in the educational system. It is no less important than the acquisition of knowledge and science, complementing them in achieving educational goals, as it hones students' personal skills.

Regarding the judging of theatrical performances and artistic competitions, HE said: “The festival’s organizing committee has attracted a number of judges from within and outside the Sultanate of Oman to ensure that student talents are evaluated in a manner that is consistent with their true artistic performance and to benefit from it in developing their works to move them to higher levels in the future, according to the age groups for each level, starting from school and then higher education institutions in universities and colleges, reaching participation in local and international competitions.”

The opening ceremony of the festival began with a speech by the distinguished artist Saleh bin Zaal Al Farsi, who spoke about the beginning of his participation in the Omani theatre in the Sultanate of Oman. He pointed out that he started in 1974, with a small group of young people, by forming a theatre troupe (the Youth Theatre Troupe). Despite the challenges, the troupe members sought official recognition as the first theatre troupe in the Sultanate of Oman. Their first official play was (The Merchant of Venice). At the end of his speech, he gave advice to theatre students, that the opportunity is available to them, and all the capabilities are available to develop their skills and gain experience. He assured them that the history of Omani theatre truly began in 1980. He also extended his sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to organizing the School Theatre Festival, and for hosting and honoring it.

The opening ceremony witnessed the launch of the solo music competition, which was initiated by student Saleh Al Shiyadi from Sheikh Salem bin Said Al Saighi Basic Education School in the Muscat Governorate, where he played a musical piece on the oud. Following this, students from the Muscat Education Directorate presented the first theatrical performance, titled “Qattoura Al Shatoura,” written by playwright Mohammed Khalfan and directed by Said Al Abdali. The events took place in an imaginative and poetic setting among the elements of nature (water drops, sun, air, drizzle, etc.) around the character of “Qattoura,” a stubborn and arrogant drop of water that refuses to obey the natural water cycle, refuses to help others, and acts arrogantly towards other droplets.

The competitions continued in the evening, with Maryam Al Busaidi from Al Shamous bint Al Numan Basic Education School in the North Al Sharqiyah Governorate participating in the solo musical performance competition. Students from the same directorate's schools presented a theatrical performance entitled "Apple Wing", written by Aya Al Kalbani and directed by Sharifa Al Busaidi. The events of the play revolved around the realization of dreams, through a group of friends, and their struggle to hold on to the dream and how to achieve it. The events progressed until they reached the truth that confirms the importance of perseverance and determination in order to achieve this dream, which is based on a covenant with oneself to move forward to achieve it.

Speaking about her participation in the judging panel of the 10th School Theatre Competition, the distinguished Egyptian artist, Dr. Abeer Al Jundi, head of the committee, said: “I am very proud to be chosen as head of the judging panel for student theatre performances. Theatre is an artistic tool that includes many arts such as acting, playing music, writing, and singing, which build student artists from the school stages and shape them creatively on stage to represent the stars and pillars of Omani theatre in the future.” Regarding the title of the 10th School Theatre Festival, “Culture and Empowerment,” she said: “The title is very important because culture is about customs and traditions, while empowerment is what shapes students’ awareness and personalities, and the link between culture and empowerment is theatre.”