43rd Fadjr Theater Festival
Iraqi playwright: Theater connects diverse cultures
Iraqi director Abdulhamid Abdulhussein, whose play ‘Déjà vu’ is being showcased at the 43rd Fadjr Theater Festival in Iran, believes that theater is a bridge that connects different cultures.
“Theatrical art in Iran is very important and influential, and despite the difficulties and challenges, Iranian artists are doing their best to preserve this art form and present diverse performances, both technically and in terms of content,” Abdulhussein said. “I had the opportunity to watch several performances at the festival, and they were all excellent in every aspect. The Fadjr festival has successfully showcased the global status of Iranian theater, and we are keen to see more collaboration between Iran and Iraq in this field.”
Abdulhussein, commenting on the interactive atmosphere of the festival, said, “The philosophy behind organizing a festival in any country is to bring together artists from various nationalities and create a platform for them to exchange ideas by watching each other’s diverse performances. Each country has its own culture, and when they come together at a festival, we witness a gathering of diverse cultures. I believe theater is a bridge that connects different cultures.”
Regarding his participation in the Fadjr Festival, Abdulhussein said, “This is my first time at the festival, and I hope it’s not the last. The atmosphere here is very enthusiastic, and the plays, both in the national and international sections, are rich in content, cultural discourse, and artistic experiences. They are also highly professional from a technical standpoint.”
On the subject of ‘Deja Vu,’ Abdulhussein explained, “The play is about the martyrs of the Iraqi army at the Speicher base, who were killed by Daesh terrorist group. When the terrorist group entered Iraq and martyred 1,700 military students of the Iraqi army, it was one of the biggest crimes committed by the group in Iraq.”
Abdulhussein continued, “The play is performed without dialogue, using only body language. If I were to describe its style, I would say we have taken reality and transformed it into imagination, allowing the audience to witness the souls of the martyrs flying towards heaven.”
Speaking about the Fadjr Festival and his expectations, Abdulhussein said, “I had heard about this festival in previous years, and it motivated me to participate and present my play here. I am glad that I got the opportunity this year to travel to Iran with my team and participate in Iran’s most important cultural and artistic event in the field of theater. The Fadjr Festival is a significant step for actors, directors, and all theater professionals to grow and gain recognition.”
Abdulhussein added, “It is also significant for Iraq, which has strived for years to advance in theater and collaborate with other countries. Our presence at the festival, alongside countries like Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and Tunisia, was very impactful, and we discussed important points about the plays, which makes me proud to represent Iraq at this edition of the Fadjr Festival and introduce my country’s name to other participants.”
Abdulhussein, when asked about the status of theater in Iraq, said, “As you know, Iraqi theater has a seven-thousand-year-old history, starting with Chaldean and Sumerian religious performances and then evolving to its current important position. Today, alongside the seven-thousand-year-old Iraqi civilization, we have successfully conveyed this art form, preserving its ancient heritage.”