Why 2019's World Youth Forum was a feast for theatregoers

As well as fostering an international message of peace, prosperity and global development, the four-day festival in Sharm el-Sheikh was also home to inspirational theatre, art, music and dance

Friday 20 December 2019 12:02 GMT

This year’s World Youth Forum has been hailed as an inspirational success by those in attendance. Held in the Egyptian Red Sea resort Sharm el-Sheikh, the third iteration of the annual international forum, which seeks to directly address the concerns of the world’s youth, was attended by over 7,000 delegates from across the globe, giving real credence to the conference’s headline, Where Civilisations Meet.

Inspirational theatre

Artists from 16 countries participated in 2019's World Youth Theatre

Like in previous years, culture played a predominant role in the Forum. Alongside a number of complementary cultural hubs, the World Youth Forum Theatre looked to tackle humanitarian issues under the theme Art: Reviving Humanity.

Following last year’s acclaimed play, The Visitor, this year’s stage show was again led by innovative director Khaled Galal. Interviewed ahead of the first performance of The Trial of Santa Claus, he said: “Today is one of the happiest days of my life due to the responsibility I took to present an art performance in which people of different nationalities participate with one aim and one message.”

With actors picked from 16 countries across the Middle East, Europe, Latin America and Asia, Galal said this diversity of youth exemplified his belief that people are the resources that can “transform any place into paradise”.

“Today’s play focuses on human beings and humanitarian issues,” he said. “To me, the play is the real beginning of this year’s forum, and it is about the victory of humanity in the world.”

Celebrating culture

This year's play focused on humanitarian issues, said director Khaled Galal

Other events showcased included music, comedy, painting and dance. These bold and colourful expressions of cultural heritage not only inspired the youthful delegates in attendance, they demonstrated that art can be the bridge between different cultures.

The first-day performances included a concert by multilingual, international award-winning Egyptian singer Rula Zaki. Albanian artist Fatmir Mura, 2009 Albanian TV talent show winner, also dazzled the audience with his sand drawing, accompanied by beautiful music and sound effects.

Marisa Hamamoto and Piotr Iwanicki also gave an awe-inspiring wheelchair dance performance on the stage of the World Youth Theatre. The talented dancers flew to Sharm el-Sheikh from Poland and the US to perform a remarkable show. Additionally, The Horus Trio presented enchanting instrumental compositions on flute, oud and percussion.

To find out more about this year’s event, or to register for next year’s forum, visit wyfegypt.com

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