The 3rd Gulf Theatre Festival for People with Disabilities opened in Manama on Tuesday (December 3rd) at the Cultural Hall with the participation of all six Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) members and Yemen.

The weeklong festival includes one performance from each participating country. Bahrain’s entry is a play called “When Rain Smiles” while the UAE is performing “Al-Baraha Gate”.

Saudi Arabia is taking part with “The Rope” and Oman is presenting “Open Cards”.

Qatar’s play is called “Life is Beautiful”, while Kuwait is offering “The Will”, and “Harvest of Embers” comes from Yemen.

At the end of the festival on December 10th, the winners will be announced, with awards going to best performance, best script, best director, the three best actors and actresses, and best scenography.

The festival coincides with the celebration marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3rd).

Bahraini Minister of Social Development Fatima al-Balushi said the International Day of Persons with Disabilities seeks to raise awareness about the rights of disabled people, which include the right to full participation in society.

It also highlights the positive impact of their integration into every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life, she said in a statement.

The GCC Council of Labour and Social Affairs Ministers is keen on holding this festival on a regular basis to create a new context for empowering people with disabilities and integrating them into society through developing their artistic talents, she added.

‘Nothing is impossible’

According to the latest figures from Bahrain’s Ministry of Social Development, as of November there are 8,724 registered people with physical, hearing, sight or mental disabilities in the country.

Over 40 institutions provide services for people with disabilities, including 14 public entities, seven private ones and two mobile establishments that specialise in their care and rehabilitation.

Blind Bahraini actress Zahra Khalil played the role of Sara in “When Rain Smiles”, who tries to convince her director husband to do away with his traditional ideas.

“Acting with people who have different kinds of disabilities increases confidence when dealing with others and gives the feeling that you are not alone with your disability,” said Khalil, who also acted in the 2nd Gulf Theatre Festival for People with Disabilities, which was held in Sharjah in 2011.

“This is the message the play wants to send to the audience: that, with determination and willpower, nothing is impossible,” she told Al-Shorfa.

“In every disabled person’s soul, there is potential as well as certain skills and artistic tendencies that need to be developed,” she said. “Disabled people cannot discover their talent on their own. They need support from others whether on an individual level or from institutions.”

She called on Gulf officials to increase their support for talented disabled persons, such as the acting workshops organised by Bahrain’s Ministry of Social Development for actors with disabilities.

Bahraini actor Abdullah Malak, who is chairing the judging panel at the festival, said he was happy with the quality of the plays presented at the festival.

This year’s festival saw the participation of a high number of actors with disabilities, as more than 50% of actors in the plays are persons with disabilities, he said.

‘A wealth of talent’

“There is a wealth of talent among disabled actors this year, which means there is a larger segment which has overcome their disability in all forms and are active in their community breaking the barrier of fear and shame,” Malak said.

The Cultural Hall was equipped to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities, he said. This included the installation of wheelchair ramps and the provision of wide spaces for actors on stage.

Bahraini actor Khalifa al-Arifi said the festival performances confirm there is huge talent that only needs steady support and honing of skills.

“The success of the festival is not confined to this week alone but must go beyond and continue throughout the coming days and seasons in addition to including disabled actors in regular performances,” he said.