BOTSWANA TAKES PART IN THREATRE CONGRESS Botswana took part for the first time in the World Congress of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) held in Yerevan, Armenia. The congress started on Monday, November 17 and will Friday, November 21. Leading the Botswana delegation is the chairperson of the Botswana Centre of the ITI, Bathusi Lesolobe. In an interview, Lesolobe said the Botswana Centre of the International Theatre Institute (BCITI) was officially registered in Botswana in April 2013. He said the Botswana delegation would learn about the different committees of the organisation as well as form partnerships and alliances with other centres across the world. He further said the Yerevan meeting is the 34th ITI World Congress since its establishment in 1948 by theatre and dance experts on the initiative of UNESCO at its first World Congress in Prague. Lesolobe said ITI has humanistic, artistic and educational goals and specialises in theatre, dance and music theatre. “It is the largest world performing arts organisation with 100 centres across the world including 20 in Africa,” he said. Lesolobe said lack of funding has hindered them from having several attendees, but he said Botswana stands to benefit from such interactions as he was already in negotiations with other universities to accord opportunities for Batswana artists to undertake courses and internships. He said the ITI World Congress is the biggest event and the highest decision-making body as it includes the General Assembly, attended by all centres and associate members as well as observers. This year’s congress will discuss the reports of the president; the treasurer and the director general. The reports are expected to reflect the opportunities and challenges the organisation is currently facing such as new centres and sustainability issues. It is also expected to discuss the strengthening of the regional councils and the migration of the ITI headquarters from Paris, France to Shanghai, China. Currently, Africa is represented at the congress by eight countries namely, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Sudan, Egypt, Togo, Cameroon. (BOPA)
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 13:31:33 +0000
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