Emirati festival Sharjah Theatre Days

The article presents a brief history of the first Emirati theatre festival. It focuses on the most important factors which played a key role in shaping features of this cultural event. It also examines the influence of Sharjah Theatre Days on the Emirati theatrical movement. Starting from the middle of the eighties of the last century when the festival idea emerged article presents its founding principles and organizational beginnings. In the first part of the essay the main attention is focused on the first editions of the festival and its reception by Emirati theatrical milieu. The article mentions artists, scholars and activists that were engaged in launching Sharjah Theatre Days. Then the festival is presented in the context of Emirati theatre evolution and its achievements since the eighties of the last century. Opinions of Emirati and Arab critics are quoted to support the most objective evaluation of Sharjah Theatre Days. Finally the article raises a question about the future of the festival and prospects for its evolution in multicultural and constantly changing United Arab Emirates.