Algerian Radio
The activities of the third season of the "Theatre within the University" event were launched on Monday evening at the University of Oran 1 "Ahmed Ben Bella," in a distinguished cultural atmosphere dedicated to theatrical creativity in the university environment.
The opening ceremony, organized at the "Doctor Taleb Mourad Selim" complex, was initiated by the University of Oran 1 in coordination with the Wilaya Directorate of Culture and Arts. It was attended by the university rector, Amine Abdelmalek, as well as an audience of artists, executives from the culture and higher education sectors, and a large number of students interested in the arts.
On this occasion, the Rector of the University of Oran 1 emphasized in his speech the importance the university places on supporting cultural and artistic initiatives. He recalled the strengthening of the institution through the creation of an Institute of Arts, which was previously a simple department attached to the Faculty of Letters and Arts.
This event, which falls within the framework of the agreement concluded between the Ministries of Culture and Arts and Higher Education and Scientific Research, constitutes an initiative designed for students. It aims to enable their access to cultural activities, participation in various events, support for students of the Institute of Arts in completing their theses, as well as the utilization of different cultural structures, explained Noureddine Mekhaïssi, head of the cultural activities and events service at the Directorate of Culture and Arts of Oran.
The "Theatre within the University" initiative, which concerns students of all specialties, aims to discover talents in various creative fields and encourage them to engage in the cultural sphere, indicated the chairman of the supervising committee of this event, Professor Aïssa Ras El Ma, who is also the Director of the Institute of Arts at the University of Oran 1.
This season was inaugurated with the play "Before the Light," produced by "The New Theatre" troupe affiliated with the aforementioned institute, written and directed by university student Yahia Benhammou.
The work addresses the heinous crime perpetrated by the French terrorist organization, the Secret Army Organization (OAS), at Tahtaha Square in the Ville Nouvelle district of Oran on February 28, 1962, through the explosion of two car bombs, which caused the death of dozens of Algerians and injured hundreds.
Another theatrical performance entitled "Art and Rot," directed by Ahmed Aouni, was also presented, in addition to an exhibition of various stage sets from shows produced by "The New Theatre" troupe, as well as awards obtained during various cultural events.
Within the framework of this third edition, whose activities will continue until the end of the academic year, several training workshops in various theatre professions have been scheduled for students by the Institute of Arts, as well as theatrical performances at university residences, university establishments in Oran, and cultural structures.
