The Syrian Future Movement, building on its previous statement published on its official website, sfuturem.org, entitled “World Theatre Day,” dated March 27, 2025, reaffirms today the importance of celebrating World Theatre Day, which falls on March 27.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that theatre is an authentic art form that combines aesthetic enjoyment with human reflection. It is not merely entertainment, but a vital bridge for dialogue and the expression of collective identity, especially during the sensitive transitional phase that Syria is currently undergoing.
The Syrian Future Movement recalls the history of this international day, which was launched by the International Theatre Institute (ITI), affiliated with UNESCO, in 1961. It was first celebrated on March 27, 1962, in Paris, coinciding with the opening of the “Theatre of Nations” season, where Jean Cocteau wrote the inaugural message. Since then, it has been celebrated annually in more than 90 centers around the world to promote cultural exchange among peoples.
The Syrian Future Movement sees in the values of World Theatre Day – dialogue, peace, resistance to isolation, and creative freedom – an opportunity to revive the rich Syrian theatrical heritage, which stretches from the experiments of Abu Khalil al-Qabbani in the 19th century, through the contributions of modern Syrian theatre in Damascus and Aleppo, to the creative spirit embodied in works such as those inspired by Tawfiq al-Hakim’s “Theatre of the Mind.” This allows theatre to become a tool for building a unifying national identity that celebrates life and imagination while addressing reality.
The Syrian Future Movement draws inspiration from the “Theatre of the Oppressed” (or Theatre of the Downtrodden) theory of the Brazilian playwright Augusto Boal, which transforms the audience from a passive spectator into an active participant (spectator). The movement considers this theory an effective scientific and social tool for empowering individuals and communities to explore their issues and change their reality through creative participation, which aligns with the context of building democratic awareness and national reconciliation in Syria.
The Syrian Future Movement also draws on recent scientific studies in the field of art therapy, which have proven effective in reducing the symptoms of PTSD, enhancing psychological resilience, and improving emotional expression and self-confidence, especially among youth and children who have suffered through years of conflict.
The Syrian Future Movement proposes the following:
- Supporting the establishment of independent and safe theater centers in stable cities and regions as an essential part of cultural and psychological reconstruction programs.
- Integrating interactive theater activities into educational curricula to develop social, creative, and empathetic skills in new generations.
- Organizing joint local and international theater festivals to attract cultural investment and promote exchange with friendly countries.
- Encouraging Syrian artists to produce performances that celebrate life and imagination while addressing issues of national unity and transitional justice, while guaranteeing full freedom of expression.
- Cooperating with international and local organizations to fund therapeutic and awareness-raising theater programs that contribute to healing collective wounds and building a strong, democratic civil society.
The Syrian Future Movement calls on all Syrians, artists and concerned parties to actively participate in celebrating this day through events that reflect the spirit of the new era, stressing that theater will remain an essential tool for reviving the Syrian spirit and building a free and prosperous future Syria that embraces creativity and diversity.
