Peter Brook Accepts Invitation to Attend Fujairah Monodrama Festival

Rendez-Vous in Paris

Renowned theatre director, Peter Brook, recently welcomed a delegation from the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority to the Odeon Theatre in Paris.

The Fujairah delegation included Mohammad Saeed Al Dhanhani, Vice Chairperson of Fujairah Culture and Media Authority and Chairperson of the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival and Mohammad Saif Al Afkham, Director of the 2012 Fujairah International Monodrama Festival and Secretary General of the International Theatre Institute (ITI). Tobias Biancone, Director General of the ITI was also present.

Purpose of the Visit

The visitors were in Paris to deliver in person an invitation to Peter Brook to attend the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival in January 2012 and be honoured as the first recipient of the Fujairah Award for Excellence in Theatre.

Peter Brook warmly accepted the invitation to the festival and the award ceremony and said that he was honoured to be the first recipient of the award.

Brook expressed his happiness with this award that “carries with it joy in light of all the defeats that the world is currently facing.”

The theatre director also shared his hope of conducting a theatrical workshop in Fujairah alongside the festival, as has been his practice at festival visits.

Fujairah Festival Well Known Internationally

Brook pointed out that Fujairah and its international festival are well known in France and other countries he has visited because of the participation of international theatre groups and famous theatre personalities who have visited the eastern emirate of the UAE. He mentioned that he had heard good news from theatre artists who have visited Fujairah who have witnessed the development of theatre in the emirate, appreciated the beauty of the natural landscape and enjoyed the kindness and openness of its people.

Brook on the Mountain Tops

Peter Brook joked that he had never spent time in the middle of barren, bare and high mountain peaks and he dreams of spending a few nights in the mountains of Fujairah.

Theatre Between Mountain Peaks

He wished the Fujairah festival continued success and expressed the hope that it will stay as high as the mountain peaks from which it has started. “Theatre,” he said, “is an art that deserves to be at the top between mountain peaks.”

Successful Visit

Mohammad Saeed Al Dhanhani (pictured below), the head of the delegation, declared that the visit to Paris was a success as the legendary director affectionately accepted the invitation extended to him by the festival’s leadership.

Al Dhanhani enlarged:

“Peter Brook accepted the invitation to attend the award ceremony at the specified time. He chose to accept Fujairah’s invitation from other invitations that he has received and be honoured as one of the most prominent and controversial theatre directors in the world.”

Al Dhanhani explained that one of the many reasons why Brook chose to accept Fujairah’s invitation was to fulfill his wish to take a look at the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival which is the only one of its kind in the UAE and the Middle East.

The leader of the delegation declared that preparations are in full swing to welcome Brook as a high profile guest of honour of the Government of Fujairah. He pointed out that Brook was hoping to present a theatre show or a workshop at the festival but time was an obstacle and he promised to do it soon.

Knowledge of Arab Culture and Islam

Mohammad Saif Al Afkham (pictured below), Director of the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival, said that Brook amazed the delegation with his knowledge of Arab culture, Islam and his reading of the Holy Quran. Peter Brook is also interested in Arabic arts and he loves the voice of Um Kalthoum.

Al Afkham said that Simon, Brook’s son, will accompany his father to Fujairah and they will be joined by a group of his assistants. Al Afkham mentioned that Brook promised an artistic surprise to the monodrama festival’s guests but more will be revealed in the fullness of time!

Latest Preparations

During a meeting (pictured) held at the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority on 9 January 2012, the Public Relations Committee for the Fujairah International Monodrama Festival discussed the latest preparations for receiving guests and facilitating communication between guests, the festival’s management and the wider community.

Mohammad Saeed Al Dhanhani, Vice Chariman of Fujairah Culture and Media Authority and Chairman of the Festival and Mohammad Saif Al Afkham, Director of the Festival, were also in attendance.

Al Dhanhani summarized the reviews presented by guests of the previous festivals and asked the committee to do their best to provide the best services and facilities for the guests.

Khalid Rashid Al Dhanhani, head of the committee, briefed the meeting on the role of the PR Committee and the plans prepared to provide all means of communication support and secretarial services to the guests, media personalities and participating groups. The committee will also seek to provide transport and other services to aid the coordination and cooperation with the other committees of the festival. The PR Committee will continue to hold meetings to further discuss and decide on its tasks.

Further

Peter Brook First Winner of Fujairah Theatrical Award, FIF, 3 January 2012.

Fifth International Monodrama Festival in Fujairah, UAE, 2012, FIF, 30 December 2011.

Planning in Full Swing for 5^th International Monodrama Festival in Fujairah, FIF, 21 September 2012.

Contact Details

Fujairah International Monodrama Festival website.

Fujairah Culture and Media Authority

Executive Manager, Ibrahim Allan: +971 (0) 9 2222678

Email: Ibrahim@fcma.gov.ae

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, links, resources and photographs are posted each day on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.