HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Athletics Association and Honorary President of the Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation deputized Hisham bin Mohammed Al-Jowder to attend the opening ceremony of Khalid Bin Hamad Theatres Festival For National Clubs, Youth Centres and People With Disability at Muharraq Model Youth Centre on Wednesday.

The festival is organised for the third consecutive year by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs and the Media Office of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa under the patronage of HH, and will be concluded on October 21.

It is organised within Khalid Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa Initiatives to support the youth of the Kingdom of Bahrain and engage them with different events and activities.

This year's edition is themed #Let's_Plant_A_Smile and aims at empowering the youth in the fields of cultural and humanitarian works.

12 plays will be performed by local youth centres and clubs during the 18 day long festival, which will also include three additional shows that will be held on the sidelines of the main shows.

On the occasion of the launching of the festival, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa highlighted the importance of theatres art among the youth of today, reiterating that the festival comes to support the youth of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the cultural and artistic fields.

HH affirmed that the directives to continue organising the festival come to highlight the onstage talents and skills of the youth, who are great contributors to the development march of the Kingdom led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa.

HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa appreciated the positive interaction shown by national clubs and youth centres, who were keen to participate in the festival which became one of the most exciting annual cultural events in Bahrain.

On his part, H.E the Minister said the continuation of the festival for the third consecutive year proves its success and the popularity it gained over the years.

The Minister appreciated the supporting stances and initiatives of HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa to the youth of Bahrain in cultural, sports and humanitarian fields.

He noted to the slogan of the festival this year, #Let's_Plant_A_Smile, which he said reflects the goals sought after by organising the festival by planting smiles on faces and spreading unity and happiness among the youth of Bahrain, especially in the cultural and arts fields.

The opening ceremony included a number of shows and sketches performed and presented by young Bahraini talents such as Jamal Al-Ghailan, Hisham Al-Shurooqi and Yusuf Al-Najdi.

The Minister honoured veteran Bahraini actors during the ceremony as a token of appreciation to their huge contributions to the Bahraini theatres and arts.

He also honoured the cooperating authorities including the Ministry of Education, Isa Cultural Centre, Kanoo Cultural Centre, Muharraq Model Youth Centre and the Family of Authors and Writers.

By the end of the ceremony, the minister honoured the participating teams in the festival which are Tubli Club, Galali Club, Zallaq Youth Centre, Karzakkan Youth Centre, Hamad Town Youth Centre, Al-Hala Club, Al-Jasra Youth Centre, Budaiya Club, Buhair Youth Centre, Shakhoora Youth Centre, Barbar Club and the National Foundation for the Services of People With Disabilities, East Riffa Youth Centre, Buri Club and Al-Naeem Youth Centre.

An art gallery was inaugurated on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the festival. The gallery showcases the artworks of Bahraini artists in different fields of arts.

The second play in the festival will be performed today by Galali Cultural and Sports Club titled "A Safe Place for Insanity". The play will begin at 7:30PM and is directed by Abdulrahman Faqeehi.

Source: BNA