First student theatre troupe competition held on university campus

Student troupes from various Palestinian universities performed famous Palestinian and Western plays in the first university theatre competition, held on Birzeit University’s campus on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. 

The competition, organized by the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research together with several universities, included student troupes from Birzeit University, An-Najah National University, Bethlehem University, Palestine Ahliya University, and Al-Quds University. The troupes presented plays that included Shakespeare’s “King Lear” and “Adgath Ahlam” (Dream Illusions) by Palestinian playwright Saed Sa’adeh. 

In his opening remarks, Mohammad Al Ahmad, dean of student affairs at Birzeit University, praised the university’s efforts to stimulate and develop arts and culture, citing the music and arts programs and the newly established Faculty of Art, Music and Design as key examples of the university’s commitment toward preserving and advancing creative activities and skills in Palestine. 

Raed Barakat, director of tertiary education at the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, highlighted Birzeit University’s endeavors to preserve and promote Palestinian culture and heritage locally, regionally, and internationally. He noted that arts and culture figure prominently as tools in the Palestinian struggle toward independence. 

An-Najah’s student troupe won first place for their rendition of the play “Adgath Ahlam” (Dream Illusions), Birzeit University’s troupe won second place for their performance of “King Lear,” and the third place went to Bethlehem University’s students for their performance of “Dunia Wa Karakebha” (The Mess of Life).