Doha, June 22 (QNA) - The 38th edition of the Doha Theatre Festival, organized by the Ministry of Culture (MOC) through the Theatre Affairs Center, opened this evening and will continue for four days with the participation of local theatre companies.

The opening ceremony was held at Al Mayassa Theatre at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) in the presence of Mubarak bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture, alongside ministry officials, theatre practitioners, artists, and cultural enthusiasts, reaffirming the festival's status as Qatar's leading annual theatrical event.

The latest edition continues the festival's longstanding role in supporting the local theatre movement and providing a platform for new creative experiences, contributing to the enrichment of Qatar's cultural landscape and strengthening the role of theatre as one of the most influential forms of artistic expression.

On the occasion, Director of the Culture and Arts Department at the Ministry of Culture, Abdulrahman Al Dulaimi highlighted the festival's historical and human significance, noting that theatre is among humanity's oldest forms of expression.

He said theatre has earned the title of "the father of the arts" for its ability to reflect the depth of the human experience and transcend the boundaries of time and place. He added that theatre has historically demonstrated a remarkable capacity to adapt to social and technological transformations while preserving its identity and appeal, striking a balance between authenticity and modernity.

Al Dulaimi stressed that theatre is no longer merely a mirror reflecting reality and everyday concerns, but has evolved into an active force that shapes public awareness and stimulates discussion on contemporary issues.

He added that the role of theatre has expanded beyond documenting the present to anticipating future challenges, making it necessary to reassess the responsibilities of writers, critics, and artists as opinion leaders capable of analyzing reality and reimagining it through a critical and informed lens.

For his part, Director of the Theatre Affairs Center at MOC, Abdulrahim Al Sadiqi emphasized the festival's importance, saying the new edition reaffirms that theatre remains a dynamic and enduring art form. He expressed hope that this year's performances and discussions would provide a genuine space for celebrating beauty, creativity, and inspiring ideas.

Al Sadiqi added that the true value of cultural festivals is not measured by the number of participants, but by their ability to endure and maintain a lasting connection with audiences and creators, thereby securing their place in the cultural memory and ensuring the continuity of theatrical creativity across generations.

The festival opened with the Doha Theatre Group's production "Under the Rubble", written by Yasser Al Hassan and directed by Faleh Fayez. The play presents human and philosophical dimensions, exploring questions of existence and destiny in the face of extreme danger. The story follows three individuals trapped beneath the ruins of a collapsed building that had previously served as a police station where they had been detained. As they confront an uncertain fate, they engage in a series of psychological and intellectual confrontations amid escalating events and unexplained explosions.

Their attempts to escape prove futile until they discover a radio, which becomes their only link to the outside world. A struggle for leadership then emerges, as control of the radio effectively grants authority over the group. The conflict continues throughout the play, which concludes with an open ending.

The cast comprised Ibrahim Lari, Amina Al Wakili, Samah Al Sayed, Abdulrahman Al Mansouri, Mohammed Laram, Khalid Youssef, and Mohammed Abdullah.

Following the performance, a discussion forum was held with the participation of critics and theatre enthusiasts. Speakers included critic Dr. Hanan Kassab and writer-director Fahad Al Kuwari.

Dr. Kassab praised the production's directing and its atmosphere, which effectively portrayed the realities of war, noting the artistic maturity and strong visual vision demonstrated in this year's edition. She also criticized what she described as a lack of realism in certain scenes and aspects of the production design.

Meanwhile, Fahad Al Kuwari said the dramatic structure faced several procedural and artistic challenges, noting that the work addressed a wide range of themes, including women's issues, political and social concerns, as well as recurring ideological dimensions throughout the text.

Festival competitions will continue tomorrow with Qatar Theatre Group's production "The Dividing City", written by Taleb Al Dos and directed by Mohammed Youssef Al Mulla. The event will conclude the following day with "The Black Heron" by Al Watan Theatre Group, written and directed by Shuail Al Kuwari. (QNA)