MASHHAD- The dramatic arts section of the 21st edition of Imam Reza (AS) International Festival concluded with a grand ceremony at Shirin and Farhad Hall of the University of Medical Sciences in Mashhad on Sunday night.

The festival, which showcased the best of Razavi arts and culture, was attended by renowned artists, directors, and cultural officials.

The festival's honorees included artists from various sections, including stage, street, and children's theater, who were recognized for their outstanding contributions during the ceremony.

In his opening remarks, Farhad Qaemian, the director of the festival, expressed his gratitude to the artists and organizers for their hard work in promoting the cultural heritage of Imam Reza (AS). He emphasized that the festival's success was a testament to the unwavering commitment of the artists to their works.

Ali Mohammad Radmanesh, secretary of the street theater section, highlighted the importance of Imam Reza's (AS) teachings in promoting cultural values and art. He noted that the third edition of the street theater festival received 169 submissions, with 40 selected projects and 12 winners announced. The festival's success was also attributed to its ability to connect with a wide audience, with many performances receiving excellent feedback from viewers.

Hamid Nili, the director of the General Office for Dramatic Arts of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, stressed the importance of faith in developing Iranian theater. He praised the efforts in organizing the festival and recognized the artists' hard work in producing over 500 non-competitive performances.

The ceremony also featured a tribute to Siavash Tahmoures, a renowned Iranian artist, for his contributions to promoting cultural values through his art. In his speech, Tahmoures emphasized the importance of artistic integrity and the need for artists to stay true to themselves.

The Imam Reza (AS) International Festival is held annually in various provinces of the country as well as in several other countries.

This festival encompasses various fields such as articles, plays or screenplays, produced shows, stories, visual arts, books, literary texts, poetry, press and digital works, and radio and television productions.

SAB/