Information Minister visits Hadhramaut Culture Institution, attends Beautiful Melody Festival

Yemen’s Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Muammar Al-Eryani, made a significant visit to the Hadhramaut Foundation for Culture in the city of Mukalla on Tuesday. During his visit, Minister Al-Eryani expressed his appreciation for the ongoing partnership between his ministry and the Hadhramaut Foundation for Culture, led by Sheikh Abdullah Baqshan, the chairman of the foundation’s board of trustees. He highlighted this partnership as a model of cooperation between state institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations, noting that it has created unique opportunities and initiatives for collaborative work.

Al-Eryani received detailed explanations about the foundation’s performance in various cultural, literary, and artistic fields from its executive director, Shurooq Al-Ramadi, and other key personnel, including Dr. Abdul Qader Ba’Isa, advisor to the board of founders; Mohammed Mahmas, director of literature projects and programs; Hassan Erfan, director of theater projects and programs; Mahmoud Al-Hindi, director of music projects and programs; and Abdul Qader Shamakh, the foundation’s media director.

The minister lauded the Hadhramaut Foundation for its remarkable initiatives and projects since its inception, expressing confidence in its pioneering role in serving the community, especially during Yemen’s current challenges due to the Houthi militia’s coup and war, which have led to a scarcity of resources and activities.

Al-Eryani also highlighted the cultural events conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, including the symphony of heritage concerts. He expressed his hope that the upcoming symphony concert in Riyadh this November would be particularly noteworthy, praising the efforts of maestro Mohammed Al-Qahoum and the musical ensemble.

Emphasizing the importance of preserving ancient musical instruments and traditional songs from extinction, Al-Eryani called for enhanced collaboration to bolster the role of theater, including the production of plays for television broadcast. He hoped for the establishment of permanent theaters in Aden, Hadhramaut, and other liberated provinces, fostering a competitive and collaborative theater scene that could be crowned with a Presidential Theater Award.

Shurooq Al-Ramadi, the foundation’s executive director, welcomed Minister Al-Eryani, affirming the significant impact of the sustained partnership between the foundation and the ministry on the cultural and artistic scene in Hadhramaut and across Yemen. She and other project directors showcased the foundation’s key activities and future plans, particularly in the arts.

Furthermore, Minister Al-Eryani attended the “Melodies of the Beautiful Time” festival held at the Hadhramaut National Theater in Mukalla. He expressed his delight at witnessing the vibrant cultural movement in Hadhramaut, coinciding with the tourist festival of the town, showcasing the rich artistic and heritage tradition of Hadhramaut, which serves as Yemen’s cultural ambassador to the world.

The festival featured five musical pieces, led by the talented maestro Mahmoud Al-Hindi, and was attended by notable figures, including members of the parliament, heads of various cultural and media institutions, and local government officials. This event underscored Hadhramaut’s significant position in both the tourism and artistic sectors, highlighting its rich cultural contributions.

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