Weeklong ITI Theatre Fest begins today

A weeklong international theatre festival arranged by the Bangladesh Centre of International Theatre Institute (ITI) begins today at the National Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. ITI will arrange the festival in association with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
The festival will feature 25 plays by local and overseas troupes. Two Indian troupes along with one each from China and United Arab Emirates will take part at the festival.
The festival commences today with the staging of the Theatre production “Payer Awaj Pawa Jae” at the National Theatre Hall. Plays will simultaneously be staged at three venues-- National Theatre Hall, Experimental Theatre Hall and Studio Theatre Hall throughout the festival.
Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman is expected to be present as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony this evening. Among others, Suraiya Begum, ndc, Secretary, Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Tobias Biancone, secretary general, ITI Worldwide will be present as special guests. ITI Worldwide President Ramendu Majumdar will preside over the inaugural session.
Among Bangladesh troupes, Dhaka Theatre, Theatre, Aranyak Natyadal, Desh Natok, Dhaka Padatik, Nagarik Natyasampraday, Bangla Theatre, Mahakal, Dept. of Theatre, DU; Oikik Theatre and Shunnon will stage plays.
Shadhona and Pallabi Dance Centre will stage their respective dance dramas “Mayar Khela” and “Shapmochon”. Traditional theatre form such as Dhamer Gaan will be staged at the festival as well.
Apart from staging of plays, the festival will also feature an international seminar and a workshop on Chinese opera.
Noted theatre personality and President of ITI Bangladesh Centre Nasiruddin Yousuff hoped that the festival will be a gathering for local and international theatre activists.
Everyday plays will be start at 7pm. The festival will end on June 3. ITI has been arranging the festival since 1991.