Hawzah News Agency- a press conference for the 10th Popular Arbaeen Walk Theater Conference was held on July 20, featuring Kourosh Zarei, conference secretary, and Seyed Mostafa Motorchi, executive secretary. Officials outlined the planned programs for the tenth edition, detailing the selection process, performance scope, thematic approaches, and logistical aspects of this cultural event.
In his remarks, Kourosh Zarei noted his years of experience organizing the conference: "I have shouldered the responsibility of secretary for this event for nearly a decade. Although I no longer hold a position at the Art Bureau's Center for Dramatic Arts, I continue to pursue the executive and coordination efforts for this conference. Fortunately, like previous years, a call for submissions was issued, and theater groups from across the country sent their productions to the secretariat for review."
Highlighting the selection criteria, he stated: "In choosing the plays, beyond artistic quality, diversity in performance formats was a key consideration, ensuring pilgrims encounter various theatrical genres along the walking route. Submissions included Persian and Arabic Ta'zieh, street theater, puppet shows, and other formats. Following evaluation, 13 works were ultimately selected for performance in Iraq."
According to Zarei, the selected plays will be staged at various points along the Najaf to Karbala path. Unlike some previous editions, performances will not be confined to a few Mawkibs but are scheduled across 10 distinct locations. Poles 160, 320, 743, 755, 840, 974, and 1120 are among the sites hosting theater groups. Additionally, mirroring last year, a mobile Mawkib in the form of a trailer will traverse the route, offering artistic programs to a wider range of pilgrims.
Addressing the thematic focus of this year's works, the conference secretary said: "The secretariat consistently strives to address contemporary issues facing the Islamic world alongside Ashura concepts. Consequently, in past years, works centered on Palestine, Gaza, and the Resistance were produced. This year, plays focusing on the 12-day war, regional developments, and matters related to the Axis of Resistance are also among the selected pieces."
Zarei elaborated on this year's central Arbaeen slogan, stating: "The chosen slogan is derived from the renowned phrase, 'Someone like me will never pledge allegiance to someone like Yazid,' whose core message is steadfastness against oppression. This concept is reflected in this year's dramatic works, with participating groups striving to use the language of art to narrate concepts like freedom, dignity, resistance, and the culture of Ashura for the audience."
Stressing that quality was the paramount selection criterion, he said: "Numerous plays are submitted to the secretariat annually, but only those are selected that, besides meeting artistic standards, can establish an effective connection with the audience. The script, direction, acting, and performance style were all considered in the judging process."
The conference secretary also pointed to efforts fostering joint collaborations between Iranian and Iraqi artists, adding: "Over the past years, numerous negotiations have been held for joint productions, but achieving a common language in theater requires greater interaction. We hope for increased opportunities in the coming years for professional cooperation between the artists of the two countries."
Addressing the conference's funding, Zarei noted: "Financial constraints have been a primary concern for cultural activities for years, and this event is no exception. Nevertheless, through cooperation with various institutions, efforts have been made to ensure the conference is held without interruption. Should conditions permit, the closing ceremony will be held in mid-September."
He emphasized: "The artists' presence in this event is based on a cultural vow, and theater groups receive no fees for their performances. If a closing ceremony is held, artists will only be honored symbolically."
Expressing gratitude to the collaborating institutions, Zarei said: "This year, the Artistic Deputy of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance and the Center for Dramatic Arts have joined the Art Bureau among the supporters of this event. I also appreciate the cooperation of Mehdi Shafiei, Atabek Naderi, and officials from Tehran Municipality's Cultural and Artistic Organization, who played an effective role in holding this edition."
Discussing programs for those unable to attend the Arbaeen pilgrimage, he stated: "Efforts have been made to maintain the same diversity present in the Iraq performances for the domestic programs. Ta'zieh, street theater, and other dramatic formats have been planned for the ceremonies of those remaining behind, allowing people inside the country to also benefit from cultural programs related to Arbaeen."
Elsewhere in his speech, the conference secretary touched upon the event's history, saying: "When this program began, staging theater along the Arbaeen walking route was not common, but today, Iraqi groups also perform dramatic works at various Mawkibs. Although their performance styles differ from Iranian groups, the spread of this cultural current can be considered one of the achievements of this conference's continuity."
He also announced the pursuit of a plan to form a Theater Union of the Islamic World, adding: "The goal is to create a platform for cooperation among artists from Islamic countries regarding festivals, training courses, specialized meetings, and joint productions. If realized, the union's program hosting will rotate periodically among Islamic nations."
Later, Seyed Mostafa Motorchi, the executive secretary, elaborated on the selected works' characteristics: "Most participating groups will not be present with just a single play; each group will perform several works or various theatrical formats so audiences encounter more diverse programs along the route."
Detailing some selected pieces, he explained: "One prominent play in this edition, directed by Shahverdi, is a trilogy addressing the subject of Martyr Haj Qasem Soleimani, influential figures of the Resistance Front, and the concept of resistance in the Islamic world. This work strives to narrate the concepts of sacrifice and perseverance in a dramatic format for the audience."
Motorchi added: "The street play 'Blood and Sword' is another piece this edition, reviewing the process of the Zionist regime's formation and regional developments, addressing Palestine, Gaza, and this regime's crimes. Also, the play 'Lullaby Under the Rubble,' looking at contemporary issues, draws a connection between current events and the event of Ashura."
Regarding the Ta'zieh segment, he said: "Persian and Arabic groups have each prepared five Ta'zieh assemblies for performance, encompassing topics like the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), Hazrat Abbas (AS), Hazrat Ali Akbar (AS), and Hazrat Qasim (AS)."
The executive secretary, referencing the selection criteria, stated: "The secretariat's primary question was each work's relation to this year's Arbaeen slogan and how it could elucidate the concept of 'Someone like me will never pledge allegiance to someone like Yazid' for today's audience. Hence, works were chosen that, besides artistic quality, were thematically aligned with this approach."
Discussing executive changes in the tenth edition, he noted: "In previous editions, performances were usually concentrated in three or four spots. This year, reviewing past experience, a decision was made to broaden the performance range. Consequently, plays will be staged at 10 different points along the Najaf to Karbala route, marking the widest geographical distribution since the conference's inception."
Motorchi announced the event dates, running from July 25 to August 5, adding: "The precise schedule of performance times and locations will soon be released so pilgrims can benefit from the various programs."
In closing, he addressed the conference's international outlook: "A core objective of this event is producing works in various languages for pilgrims from different countries. In past years, plays were performed in Persian, Arabic, English, Turkish, and Urdu. However, due to financial limitations and conditions arising from the war, producing works in all these languages was not feasible this year, with performances primarily in Persian and Arabic. I hope that with the expansion of international cooperation and increased cultural support, conditions will be met in future years to perform works in more languages, so pilgrims from various nations can receive Ashura's message and the culture of resistance through the art of theater in their mother tongue."
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