Mohammad Jorand, Director General of Khuzestan Culture & Islamic Guidance Department:
Red Tulip Theater Festival to Become International Next Year
Iran Theater: One of the ways to improve theater in Iran is supports by cultural officials. Mohammad Jorand, director general of Khuzestan Culture and Islamic Guidance Department, has supported theater and theater festival since taking office in southeastern province. Iran Theater has conducted an interview with him in which Mohammad Jorand said that the next edition of the Red Tulip festival would be international.
The 23rd Red Tulip Theater Festival in Andimeshk in southeastern province of Khuzestan was opened on November 27 in the city. It will run until December 1, is a commemoration to 75 civilians, who martyred in Andimeshk on November 25, 1986 during the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988), known in the country as sacred defense.
Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein ordered the bombardment of the civilian targets in the city on November 25, 1986 for about 1.45 minutes with 52 warplanes. 75 civilians were martyred.
Khuzestan province hosts numerous festivals annually. What status Red Tulip Theater Festival occupies among them?
Red Tulip Theater Festival has garnered the attention of Andimeshk people and artists for a few reasons. One of them is its history and efforts of people and artists of the Andimeshk to hold it for more than two decades.
Other point is that the festival focuses on the eight-year sacred defense. It was used to be hold in February but it has been taking place in November because of the Iraq's bombardment of the city on November 25 and since the festival had become national. We have supported the festival to be national as it has invited many professional theater groups and experienced jury members.
Do you have particular plans to make the festival better?
The most important decision is that Red Tulip Festival will be held as an international event. The operation to construct two new theater venues in Khorshid Complex will start soon to increase the performing capacity of the festival.