CULTURE
3rd Baku International Theatre Conference kicks off in Baku
The 3rd Baku International Theatre Conference on "The place of theatre in the system of multiculturalism and universal values" has today started in Baku.
The conference was organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences and the Union of Theatre Figures of Azerbaijan.
The event that brought together state and public figures, MPs, foreign representatives opened with the demonstration of a documentary on the previous Baku international theatre conferences.
Opening the conference, Azerbaijani Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfas Garayev spoke about the development history of theatre.
He said that for centuries, culture and art have been two of the most beautiful means to enable dialogue, and have been bridges to build strong relationships.
“Theatre and art have played an unprecedented role for the prosperity of our global civilization and in the very evolution of humanity. For the first time, the International Theatre Conference was held in Baku, under the State Program "Azerbaijan theatre in 2009-2019". I would like to say "Welcome to Azerbaijan" to the participants of this event which is enriched with the attendance of representatives from Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Iran, Germany, England, USA, Canada, Singapore, Tunisia, Hong-Kong, Austria, China, France, Estonia, Montenegro, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Greece.
We brought together the world's most famous theatre connoisseurs, with the aim to make this an International Conference devoted to the topic "World Theatre Process in the 21st century: Problems, Prospects and Alternatives". Within this framework, it is our purpose to define the present situation and the future outlook of theatre under the process of globalization, because it is each and every one of you who immortalize, shape and promote the development of the scenic art.
I hope this conference, which will be hosting more than 60 theatre experts from about 30 countries, will be of interest for all of us and will make its valuable contribution to the development of the global theatre process.
Throughout this conference, participants of various professions such as directors, actors, ballet-masters, producers, artists, educational journalists, theatre critics, scientists will exchange ideas, discuss possible solutions for current problems and strengthen cultural relations between our countries,” the minister added.
Addressing the event, State Adviser on Multinational, Multicultural and Religious Affairs Kamal Abdulla informed the participants about the multiculturalism policy in Azerbaijan.
Other speakers at the event included Secretary General of Union Internationale de la Marionnette (UNIMA) (International Puppetry Association) Jacques Trudeau, President of the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSİTEJ) Yvette Hardie.
The conference continued with plenary sessions.