The 14th Gulf Theater Festival made a vibrant return to Saudi Arabia for the first time since 1988, celebrating decades of Gulf theater collaboration and artistic exchange. The festival, which runs from September 10 to 17, unites artists, performers, and cultural leaders from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations.
Hosted at the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Theater, the event launched with an opening ceremony attended by leading figures from the Gulf and Arab theater scenes. The festival’s week-long program includes a variety of competitive performances, workshops, and discussions, all aimed at fostering greater collaboration and elevating theater production within the region.
In addition to celebrating the performing arts, the festival recognizes notable contributions to theater with a series of awards.
Sultan Al-Bazie, CEO of the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, speaking on behalf of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, highlighted the festival’s cultural significance.
“The festival is a night of Gulf culture, celebrating theater as a platform for creativity that has enriched cultural memory and fostered collaboration between our sister nations,” said Al-Bazie. He also emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s leadership is dedicated to supporting cultural sectors, and the festival aligns with the Kingdom’s vision for advancing the Gulf theater scene.
“This event reflects our commitment to creating a thriving Gulf cultural landscape that enhances national identity, encourages dialogue with the world, and boosts the economic sustainability of the arts,” Al-Bazie added.
Al-Bazie further expressed optimism about the future of the festival: “The festival returns after an absence of eight years and is held periodically among the GCC countries. It will continue to grow stronger and evolve into institutional work to promote theatrical production, training, and joint efforts.”
With its diverse blend of performances, lectures, and cultural exchanges, the Gulf Theater Festival is poised to establish Riyadh as a central hub for regional artistic collaboration while ensuring a vibrant future for Gulf theater.