Dear participants of the Afghan Theatre Forum!

On behalf of Kabul University and of myself I express good wishes to the art loving people of Afghanistan and to the organisers of the Afghan Theatre Forum. This valuable gathering contributes to the current rebuilding and reconstruction of our country by our people and the Islamic Transitional State of Afghanistan. Theatre has a long tradition in our culture and despite painful displacements and migrations of our people in the past years, they have kept their talents and artistic interests. As the biggest educational institution in our country Kabul University takes the responsibility to attend for rehabilitation and productivity of the arts and culture in our country. The successful happening of the Afghan Theatre Forum is the result of continuing efforts, made by the people at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Kabul University and the new Dramatic Arts Centre. The gathering of 49 Performances from several afghan theatre companies from the provinces and Kabul sets a visionary sign for national unity and a vital culture scene. And it is a step toward the First International Theatre Festival, which will be organised by the Dramatic Art Centre next year and gives our artists the opportunity to show the world their achievements in reviving afghan theatre.

On behalf of Kabul University I would like to express my gratitude to the Goethe Institut, the german Bundeskulturstiftung  and the Schauspielhaus Hamburg, which helped to establish the Dramatic Arts Centre at the Faculty of Fine Arts, to rebuild and equip our university theatre and which helped to make this first Afghan Theatre Forum happen. Also I would like to express our gratitude for the great activities of our three friends, Ms. Doris Enders, Ms. Rita Stockhowe and Mr. Georg Werner. I express my gratitude to the whole organising team of this forum, to Mr. Hussain Zadah, Ms. Julia Afifi, Mr. Mahmood Shah Salimi and to Mr. Faroogh Faryad, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts. They all have dedicated their work during the last months to make this Afghan Theatre Forum a successful celebration of afghan culture. Hopefully it will inspire all artists, increase their artistic productivity and lead the way for our young artists to participate in the international artists’ community.

Prof. M. Akbar Popal

Rector of Kabul University