World Theatre Day is annually observed across the globe on March 27 to create awareness about the importance of theatre arts and to promote art forms across the world.
- The day is annually celebrated at around 90 International Theatre Institute (ITI) centres across the globe and in the International Theatre Community.
27th March 2023 marks the 61st anniversary of World Theatre Day.
The theme of World Theatre Day 2023 is “Theatre and a Culture of Peace”.
Goals of World Theatre Day:
- To promote the art form worldwide.
- To make people aware of the value of the art form.
- To enable the dance and theatre communities to promote their work on a broad scale so that opinion leaders are aware of the value of these forms and support them.
- To enjoy the art form for its own sake.
Background:
i. World Theatre Day was initiated in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI), the world organisation for the performing arts.
ii. The 1st ever World Theatre Day was celebrated on 27th March 1962.
Why March 27?
The 27th of March marks the date of the opening of the 1962 “Theatre of Nations” season in Paris, France.
Celebration of World Theatre Day:
i. An important part of the celebration of World Theatre Day is the circulation of the World Theatre Day Message through which an outstanding figure in theatre or an outstanding person from any other field, who was invited by ITI, shares their message on the theme “Theatre and a Culture of Peace”.
ii. The 1st World Theatre Day International Message was written by Jean Cocteau, a French playwright.
iii. The author of the Message of World Theatre Day 2023 is Samiha Ayoub, an Egyptian actress.
36th ITI World Congress 2023:
i. The International Theatre Institute (ITI) conducted the 36th ITI World Congress from 20 to 25th February 2023 in Fujairah, the United Arab Emirates(UAE).
ii. The event was hosted and co-organised by the Fujairah Government, with the support from H.R.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah and the Supreme Council Member of UAE, and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah.
iii. The 36th ITI World Congress was under the patronage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
About the International Theatre Institute(ITI):
ITI was created on the initiative of Sir Julian Huxley, the 1st Director of UNESCO and JB Priestly, the playwright and novelist.
President- Mohamed Saif Al-Afkham
Vice-President- Hamadu Mandé
Headquarters- Shanghai, China
Establishment- 1948
