TEHRAN- The 44th edition of the Fajr International Theater Festival, which has been underway in Kerman since January 12, was officially inaugurated on Saturday with a formal opening ceremony. The festival will continue in Tehran following its initial events.

During the opening ceremony, Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi emphasized the ancient heritage of theatrical arts in Iran, describing theater as essential for preserving identity and addressing civilizational challenges. 

In his remarks, Salehi underscored Iran's historical identity, stating that throughout its millennia-long civilization, the country has been a land of stories and performances. He noted that poets like Attar and Rumi, with their vast collections of tales, exemplify this cultural richness. 

He also mentioned that theater has deep roots in ancient Iranian rituals and has evolved through various forms including Tazieh (Iranian passion play and Naqqali (Iranian dramatic story-telling) up to contemporary times.

Addressing why civilizations are intertwined with storytelling and performance, he remarked that they are shaped and sustained by narratives. "Civilizations need to discover and narrate truths; theater is the art of unveiling and narrating truth," he stated. 

He also pointed out theater's crucial role during historical turning points, and said that this form of art could better explore and narrate truths during challenging times, such as the Iran-Iraq War.

Salehi characterized theater as an important art form for resilience in the face of global and regional threats. He identified another significant connection between civilizations and theater as its capacity to foster dialogue and critique, warning that societies lacking these elements risk internal decay. "Theater is the art of critique and dialogue; it prevents a nation from rotting from within," he asserted.

Moreover, during the ceremony awards were presented in categories such as poster design, photography, playwriting, and research. Additionally, tributes were paid to notable theater figures including Nader Rajabpour, Maryam Kazemi, Mir Taher Mazlumi, and Javad Pishegar, along with honoring three Kerman theater artists, Ali Kohan, Masoud Soltanizadeh, and recently deceased artist Mehdi Sani.

A poster and photography exhibition is currently on display at the Culture and Arts Hall in Kerman, showcasing posters of theatrical productions which were on stage last year.
 
SAB/