My Iran section of Fadjr Int’l Theater Festival
From 12-day war to national epics
By Sadeq Dehqan
Staff writer
The 44th Fadjr International Theater Festival has taken another step towards strengthening a national and identity-focused perspective in performing arts with the addition of a new section. The ‘My Iran’ section, developed in collaboration with the festival’s policy council, provides a new platform for artistic portrayals of concepts such as patriotism, Iranian Islamic power, and reflections on events related to the 12-day war and the axis of resistance.
It appears this section not only responds to the contemporary societal need for a re-examination of national identity but also demonstrates the festival’s attention to the deep connection between art, contemporary history, and the nation’s strategic concerns.
Farhad Besharati, judge of the ‘My Iran’ section of the 44th Fadjr International Theater Festival, told Iran Daily in an interview, referring to the addition of this section in the 44th iteration of the festival, that ‘My Iran’ has been added this year and features works created by theater groups across the country, or commissioned by various institutions, focusing on themes of resistance, Iranian power, the 12-day war, and its aftermath.
According to him, the subject matter and themes of the works in this section relate to patriotism and Iranian Islamic power. Some of these works have been previously showcased at other festivals, while others are participating in the Fadjr Theater Festival for the first time and have been selected for performance.
He added that judging the ‘My Iran’ section is separate from the usual judging process of the Fadjr International Theater Festival, and ‘My Iran’ is, in fact, one of the five sections whose works will be evaluated by the judges this year.
The judge, commenting on the number of works selected for this section, revealed that a total of 21 theatrical productions have qualified for the ‘My Iran’ section, slated for performance in both stage and street theater formats. “To date, we, as the judging panel for this section, have meticulously evaluated and assessed a number of submissions. The plays explore themes centered around the 12-day war and the ongoing discourse surrounding the axis of resistance in Lebanon and Palestine.”
He added, “Several of the works were remarkably compelling, exhibiting strong playwriting alongside commendable directing, acting, and design. Skilled and seasoned professionals have contributed to the production of these pieces, bringing a distinctly professional approach to these theatrical endeavors. It’s fair to say that, overall, these are commendable and well-supported works.”
Besharati emphasized that “we assess these works solely in comparison to others created on similar themes. Fundamentally, the discussions of patriotism and Iranian power, the core objectives of the ‘My Iran’ section, are effectively conveyed within these productions.”
He further elaborated, “There are also works that delve into national and patriotic narratives, with some groups drawing inspiration from the ‘Shahnameh’ to craft their pieces. It appears that the ‘My Iran’ section, with its exploration of love and affection for Iran and a diverse range of other subjects, possesses the potential to flourish in the years to come, given the demonstrated public interest in national and patriotic themes. As we’ve witnessed previously, works related to the ‘Shahnameh’ and Iran’s epic tales have consistently garnered a positive reception.”
The jury member concluded, “groups undertaking the creation of such works should avoid overly direct references to these themes, lest the pieces become excessively propagandistic. Instead, they should strive to address the themes indirectly and with greater depth, approaching and narrating them with enhanced artistry and creativity.”