The closing night of the Sharjah Scout Theatre festival turned a spotlight on the challenges of the digital age, with a programme of performances that explored online safety, privacy, and the social consequences of new technologies. The festival, which attracts scout groups and young performers from across the emirate, offered a platform for creative reflection on how technology is reshaping everyday life.
Sharjah Scout Theatre engages youth on digital issues
Performances ranged from short dramatic pieces to interactive sketches that confronted subjects such as cyberbullying, misinformation and the ethical use of artificial intelligence. Directors and teachers said the works were designed to prompt conversation rather than to provide answers, encouraging audiences to consider the responsibilities that come with increased online presence.
Organisers emphasised that the festival’s aim is educational as much as artistic. By combining scouting values with theatrical practice, the event seeks to build awareness among young people about how to navigate digital spaces safely and respectfully. Several productions involved direct audience participation, inviting viewers to reflect on their own behaviour online and to propose practical steps for safer digital engagement.
Sharjah’s cultural institutions have increasingly prioritised programming that connects the arts with contemporary social themes. This edition of the Scout Theatre festival was notable for its focus on technology-related subjects, reflecting broader public discourse in the UAE about harnessing innovation while protecting social cohesion and individual well-being.
In a message shared during the closing, Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of the Ruler in the Al Dhafra Region, marked the occasion by reflecting on the year gone by and offering encouragement for the year ahead. Posting on the social platform X, he wrote that the nation bids farewell to a year and welcomes a new one with renewed determination and greater ambitions, aimed at a more prosperous future for the country. His remarks were framed as an endorsement of both cultural endeavour and the wider national drive for progress.
Artists and scout leaders said that such messages from senior officials underscore the connection between cultural activity and the UAE’s development goals. Theatre, they argued, is an effective tool for building critical thinking and empathy, qualities that are increasingly relevant in a world mediated by screens and algorithms.
Audience members praised the festival’s willingness to tackle difficult topics in an accessible way. Many noted that dramatizing digital dilemmas allowed younger attendees to see the human impact behind abstract debates about technology. Educators present at the performances expressed the hope that the festival would inspire schools and community groups to incorporate more media literacy and online safety education into their programmes.
As Sharjah looks ahead, organisers said they will continue to develop initiatives that bridge arts and technology, giving young people the skills to thrive in a complex digital environment while nurturing a strong cultural identity. The Scout Theatre festival’s closing night offered a timely reminder that creativity and civic responsibility can go hand in hand when addressing the opportunities and risks of the digital world.
Key Takeaways:
- Sharjah Scout Theatre festival closed with productions tackling digital-age issues such as online safety and AI ethics.
- Young performers and scout troupes used theatre to engage audiences on cyberbullying, privacy and digital citizenship.
- Local leaders, including Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, offered messages of renewal and national optimism linked to cultural development.
- The festival underlined Sharjah’s role in promoting cultural education and responsible technology engagement among youth.
