Tehran- The Children’s Play “First Game” directed and designed by Meysam Yousofi and is being performed at Arbaeen Walk as part of the 9th edition of the Arbaeen Pilgrimage International Theater Festival.
Produced by the Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults and produced in collaboration with the Arts Bureau’s Dramatic Arts Centre, the play takes place in Iraq on the Albainian pilgrimage route.
The origin of “First Game” dates back to 2005, written by Amir Mashhadi Abbas. The religious-themed performance was first brought to the stage at the Institute’s Theatre and Puppet Center in 2011, and subsequent performances were held in 2016, 2018 and 2023. Currently, street versions of the play are performed in Najaf and Karbala along the Aaaain pilgrimage route.
Qassem Ansari-Shad, Aryarad Ansari-Shad, Nousin Sarkoubi, Mehdi Rahmati, and Behrouz Mehraliyan are the main actors and voice actors of the play.
“First Game” celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The story revolves around a scene in which Tajie’s ensemble improvises and improvises the reenactment of Ashura’s events at the gateway to Reza’s house, with the young protagonist leading him into a magical world into a world of storytelling.
Through this play, children and young people learn about the tragedy of Kalbara, the importance of facing oppression, and the value of freedom and resistance.
“First Game” was also performed in July at Golestan Hall, the Institute for Intellectual Development for Children and Young Adults in Tehran.
The Arbaeen Pilgrimage International Theater Festival is held annually as a cultural pledge by ritual theatre artists in the form of payment and compensation.
Over eight days, we will showcase performance art in a variety of genres and forms along the Albainian pilgrimage route that leads to Kalbala, welcoming Iranian audiences and pilgrims as well as pilgrims from Arab countries.
Performances include Persian and Arabic, Street Theatre, Tajie (Iranian dramatic storytelling) (Iranian passion play), and anthems and poetry readings.
The purpose of the event is to set cultural trends, and Iraqi groups have adopted a similar approach, making the initiative more widespread across the region.
Hundreds of thousands of Iranians head out on a journey to the Iraqi city of Karbala to observe the sacred day of Albain at the sacred shrine of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shiite Imam, and his brother, Hazrat Abbas (AS).
Observed on August 14th this year, Albain marks the end of a 40-day mourning period that continued the martial teaching of Asura’s Imam and his loyal companions.
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