Conclusion of the activities of the intellectual forum accompanying "Sharjah Theater Days"
Sharjah, March 30 / WAM / “Sharjah Theater Days”, in its 35th session, concluded yesterday the activities of the accompanying intellectual forum, which was held under the title “The Visual Identity of the Theater Director between Constancy and Transformation”, with the participation of an elite group of Arab researchers and theater critics.
The closing day witnessed two research sessions, the first of which addressed the topic of “directorial imprint” through two papers; The first reviewed the experience of French director Philippe Janty as a model for image theatre, which is based on employing visual elements and abstract spaces to form a theatrical discourse that transcends traditional language, while the second paper dealt with the experience of Tunisian director Tawfiq Jebali, highlighting the transformations of his directing style based on experimentation and continuous renewal.
The second session presented analytical readings on Arab theatrical experiences, and one of the papers dealt with the features of the transformation in the directing style of the Tunisian playwright Mounir Al-Araqi, through a comparison between his works, while another paper discussed the concept of visual identity in theater within a semiological framework, reviewing the experience of the Syrian “Kon” troupe, and the role of space and visual elements in shaping theatrical meaning.
The participants stressed that the visual identity of the theater director is no longer just an aesthetic element, but has become an intellectual and aesthetic tool that contributes to building the theatrical presentation and deepening its impact, in light of the transformations that contemporary theater is witnessing.
At the conclusion of the forum, Ahmed Bourahima, Director of Sharjah Theater Days, honored the participants, valuing their research contributions that enriched the forum’s themes and contributed to enhancing discussion on current theater issues.
The forum is part of the activities accompanying the festival, which aim to consolidate intellectual dialogue and exchange experiences, in a way that supports the development of the theatrical movement in the UAE and the region.
On a related note, the “Sharjah Theater Days” in its 35th session last night honored the Emirati artist Jamal Al-Sumaiti as the honored local figure, during a ceremony held at the Palace of Culture in Sharjah, in the presence of Ahmed Bourahima, Director of Theater Administration at the Department of Culture, Director of the Festival, and a group of theater artists and critics from the Emirates and the Arab world.
The evening was moderated by artist and director Hassan Rajab, who reviewed Al-Sumaiti’s career, the long artistic relationship that brought them together, and the outstanding theatrical works it yielded that contributed to enriching the local and Gulf theatrical scene.
Rajab emphasized that Al-Sumaiti has a distinguished artistic talent and a remarkable presence on stage, in addition to his high morals and spirit of cooperation, which made him one of the most prominent artists who can be relied upon in various roles, whether comedic or tragic.
For his part, the artist Jamal Al Sumaiti expressed his deep thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, for his continued support for the cultural and theatrical movement. He appreciated the efforts of the Department of Culture in sponsoring the arts and expressed his gratitude to Hassan Rajab, recalling many artistic milestones that brought them together, including theatrical works that constituted milestones in his career.
The ceremony included speeches and testimonials from Emirati and Arab artists, during which they praised Al-Sumaiti’s artistic experience and his contributions to theatre, radio and television, stressing that honoring him represents appreciation for a career full of giving and creativity, and for Emirati and Gulf theater in general.
The organizing committee issued a booklet entitled “Jamal Al-Sumaiti… Light-hearted,” which included testimonies and highlights of his career, in addition to archival materials documenting his most prominent works and artistic achievements.
This honor comes as part of an annual tradition maintained by Sharjah Theater Days to celebrate local theater pioneers and in appreciation of their contributions to developing the theatrical movement in the UAE and the region.
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