The 20th International Festival of Resistance Theatre opened on Monday in Tehran, near Azadi Tower. The ceremony began with the screening of a video tribute to the deceased Iranian leader and commanders who fell during the 12-day and Ramadan wars, according to the IRNA agency.
Mohammad Kazemtabar, the festival secretary, stated that over twenty plays dedicated to the theme of the third imposed war will be presented during the festival. Next, Mehdi Shafiei, Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance for Artistic Affairs, delivered his message to the event participants.
Shafiei emphasized that art is an integral part of a nation's memory, and theatre, by bringing people together, represents one of the deepest and most significant languages for narrating history, suffering, hope, and the resistance of peoples. He noted that the Festival of Resistance Theatre is not merely an artistic event but an opportunity to re-examine part of the historical and lived experience of the Iranian people through the language of art, passing it on to current and future generations.
According to him, resistance is not just a word describing military days, but a culture of resilience against aggression, injustice, and humiliation; it is a culture that sustains hope in difficult times and connects humanity to the future. In recent years, alongside the experience of the Sacred Defense, there have been challenging days and new threats that have once again demonstrated the Iranian people's ability to withstand difficulties, defend their identity and land.
In such conditions, art gains even greater significance. It is capable of creating a human narrative of resistance—a story of mothers, fathers, youth, artists, soldiers, rescuers, medical personnel, and all people who played a role in preserving hope and life during hard times. Theatre can take these narratives beyond news and reports, transforming them into a human and enduring experience.
For this reason, resistance theatre is not just a depiction of historical events; this festival serves as a platform for discovering new languages, fresh perspectives, and creative stories about the concept of resistance that today's audience, especially the younger generation, can relate to. Today, more than ever, we need art that possesses both memory and horizon; art that speaks of our historical roots while also speaking of the future. If the Festival of Resistance Theatre can use its works to build a bridge between past and present, memory and future, suffering and hope, it will transcend the status of a festival and become part of the society's cultural memory.
He expressed hope that the festival will serve as a stage to showcase new talents, hear diverse voices, and create works that will remain in the minds and hearts of viewers not only during the festival. He is convinced that as long as the nation entrusts its narrative to art, no event can destroy its memory and hope. Resistance theatre is a narrative of steadfastness, but not just against the aggressor, but against oblivion and despair. Art is necessary so that what happened to us is not forgotten, and what we can build is seen.
Another part of the ceremony was the dedication of Kourosh Zarei, a figure in cinema, theatre, and television, in recognition of his many years of efforts in artistic activity and dedication to narrating Kuranti stories and productions centered on the art of the revolution.
Subsequently, Jafar Ghasemi, an artist from Minab, presented a monologue based on his personal observations of the American-Zionist attack on Shajare Tayebe school in Minab on February 28. During the ceremony, a collection of plays titled '8 Scenes of the Ramadan War,' compiled by Manouchehr Akbarloo, was presented. This collection includes eight new works by playwrights from across the country, focusing on the events and truths of the Ramadan War. The ceremony concluded with the awarding of active organizers and instructors of the 20th edition of the festival's educational seminars.