36th Fadjr International Theater Festival Closes

The 36^th Fadjr International Theater Festival wraps up in a ceremony attended by Seyyed Abbas Salehi, minister of culture and Islamic guidance, at Vahdat Hall of Tehran.

Deputy culture minister for artistic affairs and director general of the Dramatic Arts Center, Mahdi Shafiee, Mohammad Mojtaba Hosseini, are taking part in the closing ceremony, which has already begun by commemorating more than 30 crew members of the Iranian oil tanker.

The Sanchi, carrying 136,000 tons of light crude, collided with a Chinese freight ship in the East China Sea early January, Iran Theater reported.

Ehsan Karami is the presenter of the ceremony.

Farhad Mohandespour, director of the festival, read a report on its 36^th edition. He said that in the cultural field, results would be gained in the long time.

Culture minister also said that theater was stepping closer to be run by private sector and was becoming less dependent on the government, which could shape a more hopeful environment.

Then, the ceremony continued with the commemoration of the martyrs of the Sacred Defense (Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988). Tribute paid to the family of martyr Montazeri.

The awards of music was announced by Loris Tjeknavorian, the Iranian Armenian conductor and composer. 'Big Mouth' from Belgium received the best music award of the international section.

Ashkan Kheilnejad awarded the best set design of the international theater section for 'The History Boys'.

Neda Nasr received the best costume design of the international theater section for 'The List of Deads'.

Katja Bürkle from Germany was chosen the best actress of the international theater section for 'Hamlet'. Morteza Esmail Kashi awarded the best actor of the international theater section for 'Mephisto'.

Mahdi Zia'chamani from Mashhad received the best play award of the international theater section for 'Cut-Outs'.

Finally, Ashkan Kheilnejad awarded the best director of the international theater section for 'The History Boys'.

Also, the international competition section jury awarded the 2000-dollar prize to the group of 'The History Boys', which is directed by Ashkan Kheilnejad for their next year's production.