HIBAPRESS – Mohamed Zeriouh
The activities of the second edition of the International Theater Festival, organized by the "Assam Theater Group" in celebration of National Theater Day, were opened on Thursday evening at the Cultural Complex in the city of Nador, under the slogan "Theater in the Grip of the Digital Revolution", in the presence of a prominent artistic and cultural gathering that reflected the growing status that the city has come to occupy within the national theatrical scene.
The opening ceremony witnessed the participation of a select group of artists, directors, intellectuals, and those interested in theatrical affairs coming from various Moroccan cities, in addition to guests and participants from Arab and European countries, which gave the event an international character and an openness to diverse theatrical experiences, in a festive atmosphere in which creativity was mixed with thought and culture. 
Festival President Farouk Aznabat confirmed in his opening speech that this event seeks to establish an annual theatrical appointment in the city of Nador, to keep pace with the digital transformations experienced by contemporary theater, and to contribute to the revitalization of the cultural and artistic movement in the region, calling on various institutions and actors to support this ambitious cultural project that represents the city and aspires to enhance its national and international radiance. On his part, the artistic director of the festival, Jamal al-Din al-Khadiri, reviewed the highlights of the general program, which includes various theatrical performances and training workshops for youth and amateurs, in addition to intellectual meetings and seminars that discuss the challenges of theater in the era of the digital revolution, and the transformations experienced by modern artistic media. 
The opening evening was distinguished by a touching moment of loyalty through the honoring of the pyramid of culture in the Rif, Dr. Jamil Hamdawi, in appreciation of his rich intellectual and cultural career, and his outstanding contributions to the service of theater and culture in the Rif region and at the national level, where the interveners praised his academic and creative giving and his role in framing generations of those interested in the cultural and artistic field. The streets of the city of Nador also experienced a special festive atmosphere through a parade that started from "Amghala" Square towards the Cultural Complex, with the participation of the "Smil Boys" troupe specializing in acrobatic and performance shows, before the evening concluded with the presentation of the play "Viols 1×2" by the "Al-Wissam" troupe from Ouarzazate and the play "Barloir" by the "As-Sanaa" troupe from Berrechid, amid great public interaction, with the festival's activities continuing until May 24 through a rich and diverse artistic and cultural program.
