The opening night offered a wonderful show by Al Darb Al Ahmar Arts School. Founded in 2011 by Al-Mawred Al-Thaqafy (Culture Resource) with support from the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and Al-Fanar Foundation, the school teaches music and circus arts to socially and economically underprivileged children. The audience gathered in the Hanager’s hall was enthralled with children aged 8-14 presenting their astounding flexibility, agility and gymnastic coordination. The show included stilt walking, board balance, juggling, simple human pyramids and even some acrobalance – an impressive range of skills for a rather young school of arts. The circus tricks were accompanied by the performers’ peers giving the rhythm on percussion instruments or the wooden chairs. The show became a live testimony to the great abilities of young performers and the importance that circus arts represent in their lives. Also during the opening ceremony, Karim Fouda from the Oasis School and one of the AFCA volunteers gave a noteworthy piano performance to a crowd of children and their parents in the hall.
Ismailimail 