The 7th Gulf Theater Festival for People with Disabilities opened at Katara Opera House with a large number of participations from member countries.

The week-long event, from November 27 to December 3, coincides with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which falls on December 3 of each year.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Social Development and Family H E Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi said that the festival is one of the means of discovering and developing the talents and capabilities of people with disabilities and empowering and consolidating their participation in the development and growth of society.

She expressed her happiness for Qatar to host the Festival for the second time.

The Minister said that the festival also aims to enhance the integration of people with disabilities into Gulf societies and increase their participation in cultural events, in addition to raising the level of community awareness of their talents and abilities, enhancing their confidence and demonstrating this in the theatrical field.

She stressed that the festival is an opportunity for people with disabilities to present their issues in their own way within the framework of artistic work and to demonstrate their abilities to give and produce, as they possess enormous creative energies, hoping that the festival will achieve the desired goals in its seventh edition.

She also appreciated the efforts of Executive Bureau of Council of Ministers of Labour and Council of Ministers of Social Affairs in GCC countries for sponsoring this festival since the launch of its first edition in 2008.

Director-General of the Executive Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Labour and Ministers of Social Affairs in GCC H E Mohammed bin Hassan Al Obaidli said that GCC countries pay special attention to persons with disabilities, and make great efforts to ensure the promotion of their rights. 

He noted that the festival is one of the most important joint Gulf social events, as it is the only one of its kind at the Arab and regional levels, and it is also one of the evidences of the Gulf countries’ commitment and initiative to provide continuous support to empower people with disabilities.

Al Obaidli said that the festival witnesses the launch of the Creativity and Excellence Award for Persons with Disabilities in the GCC countries.

 He said that the Executive Bureau is part of this distinguished Gulf artistic event, which highlights the exceptional capabilities of persons with disabilities in the GCC countries, in the belief that art is a universal language that transcends all borders and gives everyone the opportunity to be part of this world full of creativity and inspiration.

Al Obaidli stressed the commitment of Executive Bureau of the Council of Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to work to ensure the sustainability of this theater festival and provide all means of support for its development.

He noted the efforts of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Social Development and Family, in sponsoring the festival, which contributes to enriching the Gulf theatre movement for people with disabilities.

The opening ceremony of 7th Gulf Theater Festival for People with Disabilities witnessed the presentation of the musical operetta ‘Hope Makers’ written and directed by Ali Al-Khalaf and starring Faleh Fayez, Mohammed Hassan Al-Mohammadi, Ali Al-Khalaf and others, in addition to a group of students.

The operetta included welcoming songs for the participating bands, expressing the cohesion and solidarity of GCC countries. It also emphasised respecting differences among everyone and promoting creativity and talent.

In a related context, the first shows of the festival began with the Qatari play “Al Dana”, written by Taleb Al Doss, directed by Nasser Abdul Redha, and starring Faisal Rashid, Fahad Al Baker, Fatima Al Sharouqi, Khaled Youssef, Jassim Al Mohannadi, and a group of actors.

The play revolves around Jassim, the most skilled diver. The festival will feature 6 theatrical performances representing GCC countries. 

The festival’s jury consists of Qatari director Saad Burshaid, a faculty member in the Theatre Arts Program at the Community College, writer Taghreed Al-Daoud from Kuwait, artist Hassan Rajab from the UAE, media figure Anwar Ahmed Abdullah from Bahrain, and Dr. and theatre critic Saeed Al-Siyabi from the Sultanate of Oman.