Cablegate: Particpant Evaluation for Mrp "Performing Arts In

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS MANAMA 000679

SIPDIS

STATE FOR ECA/PE/V/M ALISON MOYLAN / AZZA MOUNIB-ZAKI;
NEA/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO OEXC SCUL BA
SUBJECT: PARTICPANT EVALUATION FOR MRP "PERFORMING ARTS IN
U.S. SOCIETY," MARCH 10 - 31, 2005.

1. "Traveling to the U.S. is a dream come true" for Mr.
Abdulla AlKooheji, who attended the "Performing Arts in U.S.
Society," IVLP March 10-31, 2005. Meeting with the Cultural
Affairs Assistant, Mr. AlKooheji described the three-week
trip as overwhelming because it provided a rich opportunity
to exchange knowledge and information about American theater
and art. Mr Alkooheji was particularly impressed with the
great appreciation that American artists, producers and
directors have for their trade and hopes to spark the same
in Bahrain.

2. Mr. Alkooheji, who participated in other regional and
international professional exchange programs stressed the
IVLP was unique in offering participants a wide range of
experiences through workshops and lectures organized at
various universities and art institutions around the U.S. He
said that the many trips to arts institutions gave him a
better and closer understanding of the American arts and
culture, pointing out, that this is "this was a new and very
appreciated experience." Cleveland and Kentucky visits,
according to Mr. AlKooheji, were the most beneficial as they
were "able to see many practical artistic activities".

3. He pointed out that the program enabled him to see the
strong mutual respect between U.S. artists and the audience.
He hopes that a similar relationship will be fostered in
Bahrain in which producers and actors work hard to provide
the best for their audience who dedicate their time to see a
show. Mr. Alkooheji cited the program as an experience that
he would "cherish for life because of the interaction among
the various participating nationalities, the contact with
U.S. directors and producers, and the opportunity to attend
different American plays".

4. Mr. AlKooheji also made some thoughtful criticism on the
program. He would have preferred more practical involvement
of the participants and less theoretical emphasis, in
particular in the program in Washington, San Francisco and
New York. He also pointed out that the intensity of the
program left little or no time for leisure activities. He
has expressed great interest in nominating a member of his
Awal Theater Group to any future cultural events sponsored
by the U.S. State Department, and he would be more than
happy to host any of the U.S. theater artists he had met to
attend cultural festivals in Bahrain.

MONROE

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