Shurouq Theater in Galilee Hosts ‘al Bait Operetta’

Shurouq Theater is considered, like the other Palestinian theaters, as one of the important cultural tools which Palestinians need to maintain their social and cultural heritage, and reflect their image as a nation that has a unique cultural heritage. 

During the past week and as part of the winter cultural activities organized by the Cultural forum, Shurouq Theater hosted in the Galilee village of Beqaia’h a play entitled Opereit al Bait (House Operetta) written by the Palestinian poet Samih al Qasem. The play was followed by other features by the national theaters including al Ghurbal and al Maidan, al Hakawati at the rate of one show monthly until the beginning of summer, according to the daily al Hayat. 

As stated in the book entitled Arab Theater Roots in Palestine, Shurouk is the oldest Palestinian theater in the Galilee which portrayed its first play entitled Kithbah Ya Abi (it is a Lie Dad) in 1941 under the patronage of the then governor of Accra, Abdel Razzaq Qlaibu who paid the costs of the play direction as donation. 

Actors were young amateurs but women were not allowed to participate because they were prohibited from acting for social and traditional reasons. Theatrical activities continued with ups and downs during the military rule imposed on the Palestinians until the end of seventies. The Pop Theater was opened in 1978 which after 10 years was named Shurouq Theater inheriting the first Galilee theater established in 1941 by amateurs while Java was the cultural and economic capital of Palestine. At that time, the north countryside was far away from even dreaming of establishing an official theater. 

However, Shurouq Theater portrayed many of its plays in Europe during the past ten years and in Jordan, Tunisia and Egypt where the plays were acclaimed for their humanitarian orientation in depicting the suffering of the Palestinian individual -- Albawaba.com