When I first met Safeer he was a guy with big dreams. He was unknown at that time and had this great dream of the Colombo International Theatre Festival. But dreams really do come true. And Safeer had all the enthusiasm and courage needed to make this dream come true. And today it is a reality!
Safeer’s grand dream has come true. And in doing so he has done a great service to Sri Lanka, his motherland. Daily News attended the inauguration of the Colombo International Theatre Festival and saw firsthand how one man’s vision can be realized by pure hard work and love.
The inauguration also saw the felicitation of veteran dramatist Lucian Bulathsinghala for his efforts in his chosen field.
The inauguration was certainly exciting with some stellar performances that were viewed with a packed crowd. The Festival program will feature plays from April 4- 9 at British School Colombo with plays from Sri Lanka, Germany, Sweden, France, India, Belarus and Assam.
The Colombo Theatre Forum (International Directors Conference) will take place on April 7 at the Goethe Institut Colombo. There will also be some workshops from April 5to 9 at the Indian Cultural Center Colombo.
There was also a CITF Parallel Festival in Batticaloa from March 31 to April 2.
In his address Safeer spoke of the difficulties and obstacles he faced in his long journey to make the CITF a reality.
“Looking back I feel an internal satisfaction. In a country where there was no International Theatre Festival, I felt it was a necessity for theatre and our country. As a Sri Lankan I am proud I have done something to my country as a citizen. I have created new horizons, standards and Pride in the theatre field,” said Safeer.
Safeer saluted the foreign theatre companies, theatre fraternity, various institutions and organizations who are working with this festival.
“I was able to make this festival a success through their efforts and assistance. I have made this a reality,” stated Safeer. Safeer also spoke of his greater vision – the Festival should be held not only in Colombo but in various cities in Sri Lanka.
“The Dream is to build a culture where international and local drama is performed on the same stage in different parts of the island at the same time.”
In an address issued by Bulathsinghala, he praised the efforts of Safeer saying that it was Safeer’s vision single handed effort and courage that made this occasion possible.
“His dedication and his pioneering spirit to the cause of theatre need to be applauded and appreciated by all people who love theatre.”
“In this modern world, only arts and literature could promote and develop great compassion to unite the human race. It is needless for me to say that all religions have failed to achieve this so far. Day by day, we experience the suffering of the human race in a divided world of religions,” explained Bulathsinghala.
Also present at the gathering was Artistic Director Kenjiro Otani who spoke of theatre as a powerful platform.
“Theatre is a place where we share experiences and where we reflect societies we live in today. As we are all aware, the world is constantly changing. This is not only positively but also negatively or rather dangerously. I believe theatre can have a stronger power to nurture the world, especially when the world is crying. And I do know that theatre can make the world a better place, if we theatre artists are aware of the power of theatre that reflect ourselves and share experiences, opinions, ideas and even cultures,” explained Otani.
Having travelled the world to see performances and exchanges ideas with theatre artists from all around the world, Otani admitted that he has developed a kind of sensitivity when it comes to cultural exchanges.
Pictures by Sarath Peiris
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