The official response of the General Directorate of Performing Arts to a critical statement; You have a contradiction
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Fars News Agency – Theater Group: Not long ago, a message was sent to the media through the email of the National Center of Critics, a message that criticized the General Department of Performing Arts, now the news shows that some important members of this center have resigned.
The General Department of Performing Arts has provided Fars news agency with the answer to this statement.
In response to a statement allegedly signed and published by the board of directors of the National Center of Critics, this general office provides the following explanations:
1- Roy spoke to a handful of friends from the National Center of Iranian Critics, and not all members of this group are educated; Because many critics of this center and especially some respected members of its board of directors, in the past few years, by writing reviews and notes in the country’s prestigious media and participating in national, regional and provincial festivals and events, continuously in the general flow of the country’s theater. And the activities of Iranian performing arts artists have been and continue to fulfill their artistic mission.
2- In a statement published by one of the old members of the Qalami Critics Association and the chairman of its board of directors, there are accusations, insults, immorality and labeling that target not only the cultural and artistic management of the country, but also the Iranian theater community of 50,000 people. Zoharagin has put:
A: In the above statement, the following is mentioned about the provincial festivals that bring excitement and vitality to the theater people of the cities and are the stimulus for the public performance of plays in small and large cities in the four corners of our beloved country: “; Isn’t such an ugly expression, which is like blasphemy, questioning the provincial artists of our country?
B: In this statement, the term “passivity of centers” is also used with cowardice, which includes thousands of activists in the country’s performing arts fields. Did these two honorable friends who wrote and published the statement of the critics center, in the last two years, witness the progress and increase of the centers of “street theater”, “religious theater”, “university theater”, “ritual-traditional performances” and Aren’t they “puppet theater”? In the process of setting up dozens of educational workshops in different cities of the country, setting up provincial branches of these centers in the provinces, and holding memorials, festivals and other events, have they not been involved in the efforts of the artists who are members of these centers, or are they ignoring themselves?
It should be acknowledged here that the only center that has been inactive due to mismanagement in the past two years is the “National Center of Theater Critics”, which has not even stopped the individual activities of its members and has repeatedly asked them to withdraw from the public arena of the country’s theater. take
A: In another part of this statement, concern has been expressed about “destroying the status and dignity of high-class theaters with very low and low-quality productions.” The author as well as the publisher of this statement should be asked if this phrase is not an insult to the artists who, in the second half of 1401, despite all the inflammations in the society and the 9 months that we have passed since 1402, in halls such as Shahr Theater Complex, Sangalj, Hall Art and private theaters have staged a show and brought tens of thousands of spectators to their work?
In refuting this illusory claim, one can look at the titles and actors of the works performed in the last two years and see a long list of well-known and veteran writers, directors and actors, along with emerging artists and passionate young people, who have adorned the country’s theater stages. Don’t the author and publisher of this statement feel ashamed to use the phrase “very low productions…” in front of these artists?
3- In the same statement, strange claims are made that indicate the ignorance or immorality of the author and publisher; Among other things, “lack of concern for linking the executive and academic system” and “not taking advice from the effective and broad academic class and its lecturers” have been mentioned as the weaknesses of the country’s theater management. This is while, by the way, one of the strengths and very proud points of the General Directorate of Performing Arts in the last two years is the very good interaction and understanding with the Ministry of Science, directors of theater groups in the universities and art colleges of the country, and the students of these centers.
Holding intra-university theater weeks that are being held in the winter of 1402 with the participation of hundreds of students, dedicating a special section to student works in the 42nd Fajr Theater Festival and signing a joint cooperation agreement between the General Directorate of Performing Arts and the General Directorate of Cultural and Social Affairs of the Ministry of Science to revive the theater festival. Studentship is only a small part of this extensive cooperation.
4- In a part of this statement, it is mentioned about the rule of “relationship, friendship and personal interests in the field of theater of the country” which, unfortunately, it must be said that this procedure is more in the performance and behavior of a few members of the National Association of Critics, who are less than the fingers of one hand. It is highly visible.
The confirmation of this claim is the invoices that are presented to the performing arts association by the chairman of the board of directors of the National Center of Critics from time to time and requested to pay them. These factors are among others for holding workshops that most of the time, only two or three repeat people were and are their lecturers; Why other members of the center did not and do not have a role in these activities?
5- In this statement, the term “language of threats and intimidation” has been used for the management of the country’s theater, which has been proven in the past few days. In fact, the main tactic of two or three members of the critics’ club is to silence the voices of other members of this club.
Why did the author and the publisher of the said statement force an active member of the board to resign? Why do they threaten other members not to participate in theater programs and festivals? Why do they consider the negotiation and interaction of each member of the club with the country’s theater directors as treason, which will result in dismissal?
6- Enumerating the contradictions, false claims, accusations and insults contained in the statement appointed to the board of directors of the National Center of Critics, requires “my seventy-one example”, which is beyond the scope of this letter.
Instead, it is necessary to mention the following points:
A: Criticism is an important and fundamental link in the chain of theater production and performance in the country. The inclusion of critique meetings in all festivals and theatrical events shows the decision and determination of the General Directorate of Performing Arts in this field.
B: In this regard, the General Directorate of Performing Arts supports all activities in the field of theater criticism in the country.
A: The General Directorate of Performing Arts has had close and continuous cooperation with many members of the National Association of Critics, especially two members of its board of directors, and is still eager to continue, expand and increase this cooperation.
D: Although the National Center of Critics is considered a non-governmental organization, the General Directorate of Performing Arts has tried to support it by providing an office and facilities. In this regard, a large part of the financial requests of this center have been fulfilled so far.
E: Holding review meetings for works on stage was one of our first requests from the chairman of the board of directors of the National Center of Critics, which, unfortunately, was never implemented in the past two years. Undoubtedly, after this, we will pursue holding such meetings more seriously.
And: The increase in theatrical activities after overcoming the recession caused by Corona is not a statistic; It is an objective fact that if his eyes are open, he will definitely see it. The country’s theater is doing its job, artists are working, audiences are coming to theaters, and active critics are observing and criticizing this process with their pen and language. The General Directorate of Performing Arts makes every effort to support the cycle of theater production and criticism in the country.
end of message/