Mehdi Hamed –Saghaian: Society needs artists with disabilities
Iran Theater- The artistic director of the 42nd Fadjr Theater Festival, Mehdi Hamed –Saghaian, pointed out the high capabilities of disabled artists and said that people with disabilities, with a strong presence in this festival, can show their skills and capabilities.
The Faragir section (special section for disabled artists) was added to the Fadjr Theater Festival for the first time with the help of the General Department of Dramatic Arts and the cooperation of the officials of the Fadjr and the efforts of the Welfare Organization. This was welcomed and received a lot of attention among disabled artists, which motivated them and gave them hope.
About the social responsibilities of officials in artistic fields, Mehdi Hamed –Saghaian declared: " Our approach is to identify, create opportunities and pay attention to vulnerable people in the society, and the presence of people who try harder to win back for the difference that exists in their bodies is a very impressive action for a large international festival. "
The artistic director of FITF fond the psychological and social effects of the presence of people with disabilities in Fadjr very valuable: "This opportunity can show their status and capabilities to the society, that if they have weaknesses or some disabilities in their bodies, they can show their skills with a lot of effort. And even healthy people are not able to do it."
He also referred to the therapeutic effect of theater art: "When these people start working in the community and They became active in the production of artistic works, they learn that they can go through the path of healing their body and soul better with the help of art, and use theater as a form of healing."
He considered the presence of the artists with disabilities in the street section to create social happiness: "The 2024 Fadjr Festival slogan is hope , joyfulness and empathy, and when ordinary people suddenly see a street theater and people with disabilities are performing , they become hopeful."
He went on to say: "poeple with disabilities can show that they are capable of displaying their high skills and potential by attending the Fadjr festival and they can declare that the society needs their presence and thoughts. Their thoughts should not be ignored. Because they are brilliant people and can help the whole society. "
The artistic director of 42nd Fadjr International Theater Festival stated that the Faragir section is competitive and: "The jurors who were chosen to bestow the prize are experts , and all them have works on people with disabilities in their portfolios and have been the jury members, experts and lecturers for many years. "
At the end, Mehdi Hamed –Saghaian expressed his hope that the Faragir section will remain in the Fadjr Festival for coming years.
The Faragir section of the 42nd Fadjr Festival was held from January 21-28 in both street and stage sections, and the winners will be announced on Jan.29.
