COLLECTION · Series · 1979

Iftah Ya Simsim

افتح يا سمسم

"**Open Sesame** is an educational TV program produced by the Gulf Cooperation Council's Joint Broadcasting Corporation. The first part aired in 1979 and the second in 1982. It's an entertaining educational series, being the Arabic adaptation of the American show 'Sesame Street'. Interior scenes were filmed in Kuwait, while exterior scenes were shot across various Arab and international countries. The cast included Arab actors and children, alongside puppet characters like Naeem, Malsoon, Oball, Kabeel the Frog, Qurqoor, Kawkab, Anis, and Bader. These characters are well-known throughout the Arab world. Some characters are adapted from the American version, but Naeem and Malsoon are unique to the Arabic version. The GCC institution acquired the rights for one part, covering 130 episodes, for $1.6 million from the American company. The GCC institution covered all production costs.