Jeddah once again played host to the Arabic version of Sesame Street's Treasure Hunt “Iftah Ya Simsim,” a live theatre edutainment show, presented by world famous puppets after a 30-year absence. Iftah Ya Simsim's first live performance took place on Tuesday at Ismail Abu Dawood hall at Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Around 1500 children from 15 different school were in attendance to witness the colorful, chirpy musical show. The three-day show attracted scores of people from all corners of the city. The world's most famous characters, Bader, Anis, Elmo, Grover, Kokki, Firnas and Khokha hunt the “treasure,” dramatizing educational messages and useful information for children of all ages and their families. The show included funny and witty dialogues along with singing and dancing on 14 different songs created to carry educational messages and educational objectives. The content of the show was developed according to the educational methodology of “Sesame Street” by 80 educational experts in the Gulf, in partnership with the Arab Bureau of Education for Gulf States. The melodious songs not only enthralled the children but also imparted a meaningful lesson on important topics like environment, recycling, water conservation, energy, traffic safety, careers, health habits, respect for elders, among others. Dr. Ali Abdel Khaleq Al-Karni, Director-General of the Arab Bureau of Education for Gulf States, said that this event is part of the cultural educational activities of Sesame Street initiative, with the support of the Arab Bureau of Education for Gulf States. During the show, some enthusiastic children started dancing, clapping and singing with characters. The popular musical rhyme of “Iftah Ya Simsim” even made the teachers nostalgic. Commenting on the show, Feras Al-Maddah, Executive Director of Headline and media and marketing representative to Sesame Workshop for the Gulf Arabic States, said: “It had taken more than six months to develop as all parties had been insistent on providing children and their families an extraordinary show, in order to both entertain and educate.” He also thanked their main sponsor Panasonic and others including Alsharbatly Fruits, Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, National Commercial Bank, radio partner MIX FM radio, and media sponsor OKAZ newspaper for making the show a success. The show will also be presented in Riyadh and Dammam in the future.
Gifts were distributed to children at the end of the show.
