The Kuwait International Monodrama Festival launched its seventh edition at the National Theater in Kuwait on Sunday after a four-year interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival will run until February 2nd, featuring performances from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria.
Kuwaiti artist Mohammad Jaber, 78, known for his character "Al Aidroosi" from the play "Aghnim Zamank" in 1965, has been honored as the festival's personality this year. Al Aidroosi, who has participated in theatrical, television, and radio works since the 1960s, stated to Reuters, "This honor is not a certificate or a trophy. My honor is the love of the people for me." He added, "I still wish for new things. I can't say I've reached the end; I still aspire to present new work."
During the festival days, two theatrical performances will be presented daily, with participation from the UAE's Fujairah Culture and Media Authority and Deira Cultural Center, from Saudi Arabia two theater troupes, Al Taif and Nours, and Algeria's Mosaic troupe, along with Kuwait's Gulf Arab Theater and Teatro. The festival also includes an artistic seminar featuring Al Aidroosi and a workshop on "Artistic Masks" from Ukraine.
Mohammad Al Jassar, Secretary-General of the National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters, expressed his happiness for Kuwait hosting this festival, considering that monodrama, or solo performance art, has a special character that requires unique abilities from the artist. Al Jassar stated to Reuters that the participation of Arab shows in the festival reflects the "solidarity" of Arab countries at this time.
The opening ceremony honored Kuwaiti artist Mohammad Al Mani’a, Kuwaiti actress Suad Hussein, Jordanian actress Juliette Awad, and Kuwaiti musician Abdullah Al Rumithan, along with critics Bilal Abdullah and Khaleel Al Wadi. A number of artists presented a show titled "Journey with a Theatrical Vision," featuring artist Khaled Mohammad Jaber, son of Mohammad Jaber, which revolved around the artistic and human aspects of his life.
The National Council for Culture, Arts, and Letters prepared a book authored by Jamal Al-Lahou, the festival president, titled "Al Aidroosi," detailing Mohammad Jaber's artistic career in about 345 pages.
Assistant Secretary-General for the Arts Sector at the National Council, Musaab Al Zamil, expressed his happiness to see "pioneers" honored in their lifetime, stating that Mohammad Jaber is a "pioneer of adult and children's theater that we all grew up on." He noted that honoring Mohammad Jaber "is an honor for a significant era of pioneering artists who were not fortunate enough to be recognized; he represents them." He added that this festival is "unique" in the concept of a single actor on stage and has gained a significant place in the Gulf and the Arab world.
