An Interview with the Selected Director of Fadjr Theatre Festival in 1982/Reza Saberi: We Forgot Iranian Theatre

Public Relations od 33rd Fadjr International Theatre Festival reports, the famous Iranian director won the first prizes of writing, set designing and directing in February 1982 with “Khanaat” play. He also won the second prize of best directing in 1963 for “The 5th Wronged” from Fadjr Theatre Festival.
Reza Saberi who directed about 17 plays from 1982 to 2011 in Fadjr Theatre Festival said that: “The first edition of the festival we performed “Khanaat” with Mashhad theatre artists which was based on Iranian and national daramatic elements. In next years also I directed plays in that way too and I always belive in it. In the 12th edition of Fadjr Theatre Festival I participated with “Swimming in the Fire” and in the 30th ones with “Blood Dance”.”
The playwright pointed to the style of his works and explained: “In Iranian theatre there is no grimace and they are full of naivety. I always in my works learned from what is in Taziye or Iranian traditional plays; also people have strong relationship with them and I used it in my plays too. Undoubtedly, our voices, tunes, dances, ceremonies and traditions are more fascinating for Iranian society.” 
He assured that Fadjr Theatre Festival is the front of theatre in Islamic Republic of Iran and said: “From the first year that Fadjr Theatre Festival has been held, a new movement was started which entered us to a new field of drama. Then after, Fadjr Theatre Festival became international and now is on the threshold of its 33rd edition.”
Finally he emphasized that: “Unfortunately we forgot Iranian theatre. This is the duty of Fadjr Theatre Festival to support national theatre. The base of Fadjr must be to develop Iranian theatre.”
33rd Fadjr Theatre Festival with directorship of Ardeshir Salehpour will be held from 21st January to 1st February 2015.