Dubai Culture’s Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre widens audience outreach with simultaneous translation of Arabic plays

The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), has expanded the scope of the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre by offering simultaneous translation of all the participating Arabic plays into English, thus providing the opportunity for a wider audience to be part of the festival. 

The sixth edition of the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture, will be held from October 1 to October 8 at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre (DUCTAC) in Mall of the Emirates. 

Salem Belyouha, Projects & Events Director, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said: “With over 200 nationalities living in Dubai, the city has a truly multicultural community. By providing simultaneous translation of the plays, which are performed by young Emiratis in Arabic, we are offering the opportunity for residents and visitors to appreciate and understand our theatre scene better. It will also encourage stronger intercultural dialogue, one of the founding goals of Dubai Culture.” 

A one-of-its-kind initiative in the UAE, the Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre is aimed at fostering and nurturing local and UAE-based theatric talent. This year, potential theatre groups have been encouraged to present their scripts in authentic and classic Arabic, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, to nurture the Arabic language.