Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the 13th edition of the Kalba Short Plays Festival has officially commenced at the Cultural Centre of Kalba. Organised annually by the Department of Culture, this festival is dedicated to discovering and honing the skills of theatrical talents.
Grand Opening Ceremony
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Sheikh Haitham bin Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Head of the Ruler’s Office in Kalba, along with Abdullah Al Owais, Head of the Department of Culture in Sharjah and Festival President, and Ahmed Bourhima, Director of Theatre at the department and Festival Director. The event showcased a vibrant mix of cultural and artistic activities from the United Arab Emirates and the Arab world.
Judging Panel Reveal
The ceremony, hosted by Ayesha Al Kaddid, began with the introduction of the new judging panel, chaired by Emirati artist Hassan Rajab. The panel includes notable members such as Tahar Isa Ben Arabi from Tunisia, Dina Badr from Egypt, Rania Al Khlaileh from Jordan, and Mohammed Al Rimeshi from Morocco.
A Tribute to Creative Excellence
Following this, the audience was treated to a short documentary film highlighting the diverse creative journey of this year’s festival honouree, artist Naji Jumaa. In his testimonial, Jumaa expressed profound gratitude to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for the unwavering support extended to Emirati theatre and the theatrical arts worldwide.
Impact on Emirati Theatre
Naji Jumaa praised the experience of the Kalba Short Plays Festival, noting how its artistic workshops contribute to enriching the cultural scene with fresh talent. He emphasised that the festival represents a renewed celebration of theatre in the Eastern Region and stands as a robust guarantee for the ongoing development and flourishing of Emirati theatre. At the conclusion of the event, Sheikh Haitham bin Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi, alongside Abdullah Al Owais and Ahmed Bourhima, honoured the festival’s guests.