logo
Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission participates in Avignon Festival in France

Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission participates in Avignon Festival in France

Arab News2 days ago
RIYADH: The Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission is taking part in the 79th edition of the prestigious Avignon Festival in France this month. This year's festival shines a spotlight on the Arabic language, making it a fitting platform for showcasing the richness of Saudi cultural expressions.
For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @arabnews.lifestyle
The commission's participation features four traditional performing art forms — Al-Khatwa, Khabiti, Liwa, and the Ardha of Wadi Al-Dawasir — alongside the theatrical production 'Tawq.' Through its presence the commission aims to elevate Saudi performing arts while introducing contemporary Saudi theater to international audiences and fostering cultural exchange.
The play 'Tawq,' which is directed by Fahad Al-Dossari, boasts a talented cast, including Ahmed Al-Zekrallah, Fatima Al-Jishi, Maryam Hussein, Abdulaziz Al-Zayani, Khaled Al-Huwaidi, and Shahab Al-Shahab. The performance promises to be a highlight of the festival, offering a glimpse into the evolving narrative of Saudi theater.
Al-Dossari told Arab News: 'For me, any theatrical work is an integrated work, meaning that the harmony between all the elements and their quality is what creates this theatrical state, whether at the level of the idea, the directorial vision, the performance, or the scenography. This is what constitutes the strength of the theatrical performance.'
He stressed the significance of participating in the Avignon Festival, describing it as a 'window to the world.'
Al-Dossari believes that the language of theater transcends borders, serving as a universal medium for conveying messages, ideas, and cultural narratives, and added: 'This is what we seek in this important participation.'
The Star Program has played a vital role in enabling creative individuals in the theater sector to transform their ideas into reality. Al-Dossari noted the diversity of concepts and visions that have emerged, highlighting creativity in all aspects, from decor and costumes to music and acting performances.
He expressed gratitude to the authority for its unwavering commitment to fostering development and creativity within the sector.
As the Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission makes a mark at the Avignon Festival, it stands as a testament to the dynamic cultural landscape of Saudi Arabia and its dedication to sharing its artistic heritage with the world.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Music review: Elton john's 'live from the rainbow theatre with ray cooper' spotlights a rich catalog
Music review: Elton john's 'live from the rainbow theatre with ray cooper' spotlights a rich catalog

Al Arabiya

timean hour ago

  • Al Arabiya

Music review: Elton john's 'live from the rainbow theatre with ray cooper' spotlights a rich catalog

On Elton John's new concert album, the songs steal the show. Deep cuts from John's rich catalog are given the spotlight on Live From the Rainbow Theatre With Ray Cooper. The 13-song set was culled from a six-show residency in London in May 1977, with John at the piano and his longtime percussionist Cooper joining him for the second half of the show. The album initially received a limited release on vinyl for Record Store Day and will be available digitally and on CD for the first time beginning Friday. While John, of course, performed his biggest hits during the residency, the album wisely focuses on often overlooked material, pointing to the astounding quantity of quality songs John produced early in his career. That includes Cage the Songbird, a lilting tribute to Édith Piaf from the underrated 1976 LP Blue Moves. Another highlight from that album is the cabaret jazz ballad Idol, which shows John could have thrived in a lounge had the rock star thing not worked out. The piano man's playing here is closer to Liberace than Little Richard because ballads predominate, and Cooper's role is tastefully restrained. Even when the tempo gets brisk on Better Off Dead, the song is delightfully hammy operetta rather than rock 'n' roll. From start to finish, John sings with relish: He knows how good these songs are. Where To Now St. Peter? features an especially vigorous vocal, including full-throated falsetto. Live From the Rainbow Theatre underscores John's lyricist Bernie Taupin's vital role in their songwriting partnership. The album opens with The Greatest Discovery, a pairing of sweet sentiment and a charming melody, while Ticking is a gripping tale set in Queens that anticipated America's epidemic of gun violence. John introduces Ticking and two other songs by noting he doesn't perform them often or often enough. Banter elsewhere is mostly brief and stiff, but his droll wit does surface in one exchange with a spectator. 'How are you tonight? Nice handkerchief,' John says before telling the rest of the audience, 'He hasn't washed that in three years.' The 1977 performances took place as punk and disco were knocking John off his pop pedestal and ending his years-long reign as a consistent hitmaker. Live From the Rainbow Theatre offers a reminder that not all of his superb songs were singles.

Filipinos find new opportunities, make waves as content creators in UAE
Filipinos find new opportunities, make waves as content creators in UAE

Arab News

time3 hours ago

  • Arab News

Filipinos find new opportunities, make waves as content creators in UAE

MANILA: Margarete Serrano's foray into content creation began in the Philippines nearly two decades ago, when she would upload comedy skits while juggling her responsibilities as a nursing student. What was then a hobby had a boost a few years later, as she moved to Abu Dhabi in 2014, where she found employment as a private nurse. Known online as Em, she started sharing food reviews from her new home abroad. 'Some restaurant owners and managers began to notice my posts and invited me to revisit, which marked the beginning of my food blogging journey. Eventually, I returned to vlogging as well,' Serrano told Arab News. Today, she has nearly 160,000 followers across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, and has transitioned into full-time content creation, sharing her culinary, travel experiences and tips for other overseas Filipino workers. 'I actively participate in community and volunteer events. Through my content, I aim to spread positivity, hope and kindness,' she said. 'I want to inspire others to do good, give back and uplift one another — especially within the Filipino community.' Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are home to nearly 2 million Filipinos. About 700,000 of them live in the UAE. Traditionally employed in health care, education and corporate sectors, some of them, such as Serrano, have turned their social media-savviness and digital creativity into new opportunities. With followers ranging from hundreds of thousands to more than a million, they rise to online fame with content varying from comedy skits to wellbeing, lifestyle and informative videos that help Filipinos adapt and adjust to life in the Middle East. Michael Banua moved to Dubai in 2017 with a degree in chemistry and began his career as an account manager for a construction company. But storytelling has always been his passion. He now pursues it professionally. 'I've always loved storytelling. I once dreamed of becoming a filmmaker or writer, but life took me elsewhere. Content creation brought that dream back. Now I get to tell real, relatable stories in my own way every day,' Banua told Arab News. His 116,000 followers on Instagram are drawn to positive and lighthearted content, in which he always tries to include Filipino culture — 'from humor to everyday moments, so other nationalities can see and appreciate who we are,' he said. 'It's my way of giving Filipinos here a piece of home while celebrating Dubai's diversity, too.' His compatriot and fellow Dubai-based creator, Jep Laguitan, retains his main job as a photographer and videographer. Having lived in the UAE for the past 12 years, he has earned nearly 200,000 followers on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, aiming his content at Filipinos. 'Mostly, I do comedy videos which attract more OFW audiences,' he said. '(It) makes our kabayan (compatriots) forget about the stress of their day.' Others, such as Mark Ilano, who has about 230,000 followers on Instagram alone, are focused on specific themes. Iland has become widely recognized for his content on menswear as well as Dubai city, creating posts dispensing advice for fashion and styling, as well as smart shopping and money-saving tips. 'I liked the idea of building a community around things we all care about and putting out content that's fun, helpful or inspiring,' he said. 'At first, it was just a hobby, but over time I realized it was something I really wanted to take more seriously.' For Rechel Hoco, who has more than 1 million followers on Facebook alone, the content career also started out of sudden. 'I would film my daily life as an OFW — simple things, nothing fancy. Then one day, I made a video about trying mandi in Dubai, and it suddenly went viral. That's when I realized, 'OK, maybe this is something I can actually grow.' That's where it all began,' she told Arab News. As one of the most high-profile Filipino content creators in the Middle East, Hoco sees her content as something that reflects her embrace of Dubai as home. 'I moved to Dubai in search of better opportunities, and this city gave me more than I ever dreamed of,' she said. 'It helped me grow not just in my career, but also as a person.'

Baha Craftsmen Forum engages youth, children
Baha Craftsmen Forum engages youth, children

Arab News

time5 hours ago

  • Arab News

Baha Craftsmen Forum engages youth, children

Riyadh: The Baha Craftsmen Forum, organized by the Technical and Vocational Training Corp., teaches youth and children the basics of the traditional handicrafts for which the region is renowned. Forum supervisor Nouf Al-Harbi said the forum offers 10 specialized training courses, including crochet doll-making, palm weaving, and stone and marble carving, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. The courses are led by expert instructors who showcase works blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design, striking a balance between preserving cultural heritage and meeting the evolving demands of today's market. As part of the Baha Summer Festival, the forum's second week began on Saturday, drawing a remarkable turnout of visitors. The month-long forum, held in partnership with governmental and private entities, offers various training programs, dialogue sessions and live interactive activities celebrating cultural heritage. The forum aims to showcase the region's traditional crafts and cultural heritage, while fostering interaction between artisans and the public.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store