By Dr Nermin Yousuf Al-Houti
Today my long awaited realization of a dream became a reality, as I saw Madinat Al Irfan Theatre Center, when I was invited by Oman’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth to attend the 8th Omani Theatre Festival and critique a play shown during this festival. The design of Al Irfan theatre was inspired by the Late Sultan Qaboos Rose. The theatre has three levels with a capacity of 3,200 persons. It is equipped with state of the art acoustics that were developed to attract the most prominent artists, shows and entertainment events.
The theatre also has two halls for activities such as international conferences. The larger hall has a capacity of 2,688 persons with a flexible system that allows for dividing it into three or six separate hall fully equipped, while the smaller hall has a capacity of 1,026 persons and also can be divided into two halls. The center also has 19 separate meeting halls in addition to the auditorium that has a capacity of 456 persons.
Madinat Al Irfan is considered a shining Gulf Cultural icon. Thanks for the Sultanate of Oman for turning this dream, who many playwrights dreamt of into a tangible truth. I will not forget the late actor Abdulhussein Abdulredha when he sought the realization of this dream by constructing a cultural city, and today we are living what theatre actors be them late and alive dreamt of to have a cultural city that encompass all means of comfort.
Yes, the realization was not limited to a center and a theatre, rather we find that Madinat Al Irfan has many hotels that surround Al Irfan center and theatre. It is really an integrated project due to what it has in the form of comfort means for each visitor who loves the theatre and culture, not only the theatre and culture, not only the Omani, but the Arab, Gulf and International. Final word, may Allah protect the Sultanate of Oman under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. May Allah protect the people of Oman, and thanks to the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Youth and all officials and organizers of the 8th Oman Theatre Festival.
Nermin-alhoti@hotmail.com
https://epaper.kuwaittimes.com/?date=2024-09-26&page=4&publication=1