Mahdi Shafiee: Iran Can Turn into Middle East Hub of Performing Arts

Mahdi Shafiee, director general of Dramatic Arts Center, said that Iran theater had potentials to grow today but “we do not pay heed to the fact that our theater is unique in the Middle East because we are grappling with domestic theater matters”, irantheater.ir reported.

Mr Shafiee made the remarks over the weekend in the first press conference of Iran Spring Theater Market, which was attended by Mehrdad Rayani-Makhsous, acting head of the center’s international affairs, directors of private theatres and media persons. Kayvan Nakhaei was the moderator of the gathering.

Mr Shafiee listed the advantages of Iran theater in comparison wirh those of other Middle Eastern countries as high number of university graduates from different fields of performing arts, population of actors, researches and….. “We occupy a significant status in Asia and can present ourselves to the world,” the official said and stressed, “Time is ripe for Iran theater to become bolder in the world.”

Mr Shafiee explained that a meeting with theater directors of the West Asian countries in Tehran recently unfolded that they had poor knowledge of Iran theater and that was not good. “We should adopt a serious approach. Iran Spring Theater Market can take a major stride in this regard.”

Iran theater, he said, could be dynamic if it could connect with the world, adding that connection with the world could be translated into growth for the country’s performing arts in the future.

Mr Shafiee stressed that there would be no need for the state intervention for the country’s performing arts to grow. The government should just connect Iran and international theater directors to each other, he added.

Mehrdad Rayani-Makhsous, director of international affairs of the 35^th Fadjr International Theater Festival, said that Iran Spring Theater Market would present the country’s performing arts to the world, helping improve the economy of theater.

He hoped that the market, which would be held from May 9 to May 13 in Tehran, would be positive, adding that the government was seeking and supporting a more active private theater sector.