The Aesthetics of Ritual Performance in Syriac Theatre Acting (The Play Rituals of Firewood as a Model)

The present study examines the aesthetics of ritual performance in Syriac theatre acting as an experience that integrates both spiritual and physical dimensions. Drama, in this context, is regarded as an artistic manifestation rooted in rituals and religious beliefs, having emerged from ritual practices that were performed and embodied through representational methods bearing the characteristics of dramatic performance. Accordingly, the performative act transforms into an expressive ritual that reveals Syriac cultural identity.

Through Syriac ritual, the actor seeks to achieve an aesthetic balance between sacredness and art, delivering a performance that embodies participation and collective service. In light of this, the researcher structured the study into four chapters. The first chapter (Methodological Framework) addresses the research problem, which is formulated as the following question: How are the aesthetics of ritual performance manifested in Syriac theatrical performance, particularly in the play Rituals of Firewood? This chapter concludes with the definition of key terms, including (performance, ritual, and Syriac theatre).

The second chapter presents the theoretical framework, divided into two sections: (Ritual in Theatre) and (The Aesthetics of Theatrical Performance). The third chapter outlines the research procedures, where the play Rituals of Firewood was intentionally selected due to its relevance to the study objectives. The fourth chapter presents and discusses the results, followed by conclusions. Among the most significant findings are: the performance of the Syriac theatre actor is shaped within a religious theatrical ritual, weaving reality with its values, determinants, and dimensions, such that the actor’s presence becomes an aesthetic act aligned with the spirit of service and participatory interaction. The study concludes with recommendations, proposals, and a list of references.