World Theatre Day is annually observed across the globe on 27th March to create awareness about the importance of theatre arts. The day is observed at around 90 International Theatre Institute (ITI) Centres across the globe and the International Theatre Community.
Objectives:
- To promote the art form across the world.
- 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.The World Theatre Day was first initiated by the International Theatre Institute (ITI) in 1961.
ii.The first World Theatre Day was celebrated on 27th March 1962.
iii.The 27th March marks the date of the opening of the 1962 “Theatre of Nations” season in Paris.
Celebration of World Theatre Day:
i.The 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 of “Theatre and a Culture of Peace”.
ii.This message is translated into more than 50 languages.
iii.The first theatre day message was written by Jean Cocteau in 1962.
iv.The message of 2021 is authored by Helen Mirren of the United Kingdom, one of the best actresses with an international career in stage, screen and television.
v.Helen Mirren won the Academy Awards in 2007 for her performance in “The Queen”.
About International Theatre Institute (ITI):
ITI was created on the initiative of Sir Julian Huxley, the first Director of UNESCO and JB Priestly, the playwright and novelist.
President– Mohamed Saif Al-Afkham
Director General– Tobias Biancone
Created in– 1948
Headquarters– Shanghai, China
