Over 300 participants came to World Theatre Congress in Yerevan

The capital of Armenia has launched 34th World Congress of the International Theatre Institute under the UNESCO under the motto: "New Voices and New Spectators: Time for Dialogue." It is attended by more than 300 delegates from Asia, Europe, America and Africa.

The Council of the International Theatre Institute had considered various countries as the venue for the Congress, but, in the end, "we chose to hold the event where they have the freedom of speech," said Tobias Biankonen, the Chief Director of the International Theatre Institute.

Akop Kazanchyan, the Chairman of the Union of Theatrical Workers of Armenia, believes that the Congress held in Armenia is a great event.

The significance of the Congress was also emphasized by Arthur Pogosyan, the Deputy Minister of Culture. He has viewed the event is an important platform in the world of theatre for the participating countries.

The International Theatre Institute under the UNESCO was founded 66 years ago with the aim of establishing peace with the help of theatre, said Ramendu Majumdar, the Chairman of the International Theatre Institute.

In the opinion of Grigor Khachatryan, the Director of the Drama Theatre, the Armenian theatre faces a lot of problems. "First and foremost, of course, these are financial issues," he told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Grant Tokhatyan, an actor of theatre and cinema, an Honoured Artist of Armenia, believes that Armenian actors, directors and producers need exchange of experiences and cooperation with their foreign colleagues.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.