Sparking youthful passion for the stage

"The activities of World Theater Day aim to rekindle young people's interest in the vitality of theater," said Chen Zhongwen, deputy director-general of the International Theater Institute (ITI), at the press conference of the 2024 World Theater Day celebration, which took place from March 27 to 29 in Langfang, North China's Hebei province.

Since ITI established World Theater Day on March 27, 1962, it has been celebrated globally every year. During this year's event, theater professionals and practitioners from around the world gathered at the city's Silk Road International Arts Center to participate in speeches, seminars, and workshops.

In contrast to other theater festivals that present many shows, this event placed more emphasis on discussing the essential and current issues of the theater industry. Among all the activities and topics explored this year, the involvement of young people in theater stood out as a major highlight.

One of the event's three main panel discussions focused on the theme "Theater: A Stage for the Young". Eight speakers from China, Hungary, India, and Ghana shared their observations and insights.

According to Huang Changyong, president of Shanghai Theater Academy, the current participation of young people in China's theater is remarkably high, making them "a primary driving force behind the development of theatrical arts".