QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Organizers of the fourth Arin Theater Festival in Syria’s Kobani have approved seven of 13 submitted scripts ahead of the festival’s October 5 opening.
The festival is held every two years with the participation of theater groups from several Syrian cities at the Baqi Khiddo Center in Kobani.
Hussein Khani, director of the Arin Theater Festival, told North Press that the committee overseeing script submissions approved seven of the 13 scripts received by the festival administration.
Khani said the approved scripts include two from Aleppo, two from Raqqa, one from Derik, one from Qamishli, one from Hasakah, and one from Kobani.
“Due to limited resources, the festival will be held over one week, including five days of theatrical performances, one opening day and one closing day,” Khani said. “One or two plays will be staged each day.”
Khani said previous editions faced difficulties in theater groups reaching the region. He added that the issue has been resolved as roads are now open, while the participating groups are new.
“We had hoped to have theater groups from Latakia, Damascus and Hama participate, but most were committed to festivals abroad or were not ready to take part,” he said.
Khani said organizers would seek broader participation in the next edition, adding that they want the Arin festival to become a theater festival representing Syria as a whole.
By Fattah Issa / Abdulsalam Khoja
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