The Ofeer International Theatre Nights Festival Announces the Jury of Its First Edition
Souad Khalil | Libya
The Governorate of Dhofar is preparing to host the first edition of the Ofeer International Theatre Nights Festival, which will take place from June 7 to June 12 at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment, under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Marwan bin Turki Al Said, Governor of Dhofar. Organized by the Ofeer Theatre Troupe, the festival is expected to be a major artistic and cultural event, bringing together prominent Arab and international theatre practitioners in a celebration of creativity and intercultural dialogue through the performing arts.
The organization of this event confirms the growing cultural significance of Dhofar, as the festival aims to become a platform for the exchange of artistic experiences and creative visions. It highlights theatre as an art form capable of transcending geographical and cultural boundaries while fostering communication and understanding among peoples.
The first edition will feature nine theatrical productions representing diverse countries and artistic approaches: Bayn Bayn from Jordan, Layla and the Bear Qays from Saudi Arabia, Haunted Voice and The Story of the Stations from Oman, The Pilgrimage from South Africa, Bipolar Delirium from Tunisia, Evening Yawns from the United Arab Emirates, Salma from Iraq, and Hot Coffee from Bahrain.
As part of the ongoing preparations for the festival’s opening, the organizing committee has announced the composition of the jury for the inaugural edition. Professor Dr. Thamer Al-Arabid of the Syrian Arab Republic has been appointed President of the Jury in recognition of his distinguished artistic and academic career, as well as his significant contributions to theatre, criticism, and academic training.
The jury also includes Dr. Shabir Al-Ajmi from the Sultanate of Oman and Professor Amani Mabrouki from the Republic of Tunisia, forming a panel that combines academic expertise with diverse artistic perspectives. This reflects the Arab identity and cultural openness that the festival seeks to promote.
This selection aligns with the festival’s vision of establishing itself as a theatrical and cultural platform that brings together artists and creators from different countries under the motto of its first edition:
“Where the Stories of the World Are Woven”
A slogan that highlights theatre’s unique ability to embrace human stories and transform them into a universal artistic language that transcends borders and cultures.
A festival jury is not merely a body responsible for awarding prizes; it is also a reflection of the aesthetic and cultural vision embraced by the festival. Therefore, the selection of these distinguished figures from the Arab theatre scene demonstrates the organizers’ commitment to artistic excellence and to ensuring an objective and professional evaluation of the participating productions, granting this inaugural edition a level of prestige worthy of its cultural and artistic ambitions.
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Souad Khalil, hailing from Benghazi Libya, is a writer, poet, and translator. She has been writing on culture, literature and other general topics.
