1200 Artists, 145 Performances

Shahram Karami said that the sixth edition of the festival had grown, adding that the opening ceremony of the nine-day event would be at 6 pm, December 19 in Pardis-e Tehran Theater Complex's Movie Theater with the participation of artists, Iran Theater reported.  

The event would be held in eight categories including stage competition, children and adolescent theater, street show, performance and environmental, other theater, play writing, school theater and theater photography sections, Karami said, adding that Pardis-e Tehran Theater Complex would host all but three performances of which two would be in Maryam and Laleh art galleries and one in Qasr Prison.

He explained that the street shows would be performed in the outdoor areas near Khavaran Cultural Complex.  

The director said that the festival would hold for the first time criticism sessions for the plays in which young and veteran critics would criticize the pieces and the criticisms would be published under supervision of Behzar Seddighi after the festival.

The director introduced the jury members of stage section as Asghar Hemmat, Hamid Mozaffari, Hamidreza Naimi, Jaber Ramezani and Morteza Mirmontazami who were going to judge 20 pieces.

Karami said that he would leave the job for the next edition and hopefully the new director would breathe fresh air into the festival.

He expressed satisfaction about the increase in the number of the audience as well as growth in the creative approach of young talents, adding that 62 theater groups with 145 performances and 1,200 artists were taking part in the event.

The festival would also pay tribute to veteran director, actor and translator Dariush Moadabian, Karami said.

The festival starts on Wednesday, December 20 and closes on December 28.