Mahdi Shafiee: Festival’s Maturity Owed to Management Stability & Strong Administration

The 23^rd International Children & Young Adults Theater Festival was inaugurated in Hamedan’s Abu Ali Sina (Avicenna) Hall on Monday, commemorating late Mohammad Ali Mahimani, irantheater.ir reported.

Families, state and provincial officials as well as director of Hamedan Department of Culture and Islamic Guidance as well as foreign guests attended the opening ceremony.

Hamedan Department of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Fazel Ebadi congratulated the participants, particularly the children and their families for the 23^rd edition of the festival because they “are the core audience of the festival”.

He expressed gratitude toward officials and state bodies of the province for assisting organizing the festival and read out the written speech of the minister of culture and Islamic guidance to the festival.

Mahdi Shafiee, managing director of the Dramatic Arts Center, said that the festival had grown to its maturity and had managed to gain the attention of audience and their families.

“In its 23^rd edition, the festival has reached such a maturity, which is hosting 10 successful troupes from foreign countries and professional groups from Iran,” the official said.  

The festival is hosting sections in various fields this year and the shows are exclusively held for children, adolescents and toddlers, he added.   

This event, Shafiee said, is hosting strong international theater troupes and senior managers of leading companies.

The official said the festival owes its maturity to stability in its management and strong administration.

He stressed the importance of theater for children and young adults for the future of the society and the Islamic Republic.

“Theater is not restricted to the stage. Children and adolescents must be exposed to the creative theater and educational points, which are respected by families, to be included in the shows,” Shafiee said.