- Title: LEBANON-TYRE/THEATRE Tyre international festival revives local Lebanese theatre
- Date: 11th June 2015
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LEBANESE THEATRE ACTOR, HAYTHAM AL HAJJ, SAYING: ''It is a great thing that this theatre has been renovated and reopened. Istanbouli has taken a very good step. It is important that there is a space for artists and directors where they can present their work. And not just in Tyre, in Saida there is no theatre or in Nabatieh. We don't even have internat
- Embargoed: 26th June 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Lebanon
- Country: Lebanon
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA338AG8THS42H2KKSSAFXTWVU3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Actor and director, Qassem Istanbouli is on a mission -- to revive theatre in the southern coastal Lebanese city of Tyre.
Having been away from his hometown for a number of months touring in cities around the world, 28-year old Istanbouli decided to return to his hometown to give something back to his local community.
By setting up the Tyre Theatre festival he wants to highlight the importance of dramatic art here.
''The purpose of the festival is to support young theatre artists Lebanese and Arab. Today we are focusing on the young artists as well as the older ones who have been in the field for a long time. For example, the festival pays tribute to late theatre artists Raymond Jebara," Istanbouli said.
Jebara is a beloved Lebanese playwright who died in April 2015. His theatre productions were known for their satire and rebelliousness. One of his most notable works include a play called Zarathustra Became a Dog in 1977 and Acolyte Ascends to Heavens based on a book by Spanish playwright Fernando Arrabal in 1981.
Istanbouli said his focus is to bring back theatre to the marginalized south.
"We want to bring cultural life back to the south, to have art events outside Beirut. This is one of the few festivals in Lebanon that has a judge panel and judging awards. We are establishing a theatre movement in the south. We have lectures and workshops for the people of Tyre and people of the south, in order to teach the new generation the culture of art and the culture of life," he said.
Activities remain free of charge for the public with only a donation box set aside for those wanting to contribute towards its upkeep.
But that may not sustain the festival for very long said Istanbouli who has been struggling with funding.
Despite the financial difficulties, Istanbouli has succeeded in renovating an old venue that used to serve as a theatre and cinema, the "Hamra Theatre and Cinema," where the festival took place.
The venue opened in 1952 but it was closed in 1989 amidst the Lebanese civil war.
Thanks to Istanbouli's efforts, it was re-opened in 2014.
Actors and residents of Tyre said reopening the theatre is an important step.
''It is a great thing that this theatre has been renovated and reopened. Istanbouli has taken a very good step. It is important that there is a space for artists and directors where they can present their work. And not just in Tyre, in Saida there is no theatre or in Nabatieh. We don't even have international festivals like this one happening in Tyre now," said Haytham Al Hajj, a Lebanese actor performing in one of the plays participating in the festival.
Some residents, like Layal Yousef, were surprised to discover the theatre's history.
''It is a big transition because for a city with a history like Tyre not having a theatre was a disadvantage. I never knew that this theatre had so much history. I was surprised. I am very happy that there are people who care to make this place a better one," Yousef said.
Well known actors like Dureid Laham and Muzaffar al-Nawab, a well-known poet have performed on the theatre's stage in the past.
Mayor of Tyre, Hassan Dbouk, praised Istanbouli's effort.
''It is cultural platform and a place for social interaction and we encourage that because it brings back cultural events which have been absent and it has really negatively affected the culture of the place," Dbouk said.
The southern region of Lebanon like many parts of the country has witnessed war and insecurity including the 1975-1990 civil war and the late 1970s and 1980s Israeli invasion and occupation of large parts of the south which lasted until 2000.
In 2006, the region was heavily damaged by the war with Israel and many of its residents now say they feel insecure due to the ongoing war in Syria.
Performers from Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Tunisia, Spain, and France participated this year's event which ran from 6-10 June. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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