World Theatre Day

“Theatre and a Culture of Peace,” the theme for 2025, highlights how theatre fosters peace and understanding through the power of storytelling and performance.

Started in 1962 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI) of Paris, World Theatre Day is celebrated on 27th March every year by ITI Centers and the international theatre community. This day emphasises how important theatre is for sharing culture, encouraging creativity, telling stories, and promoting social conversation.

Theatre in Nepal

Nepali theatre has evolved as a powerful tool for social change. Kachahari theatre, an interactive street theatre form, engages audiences in discussions on issues like caste discrimination and gender inequality, thereby including them in the story and problem-solving process, especially in rural areas.

Theatre groups like Mandala Theatre, Shilpee Theatre, Aarohan Theatre and Sarwanam Theatre continue to explore new artistic boundaries. NITFest 2025, Nepal’s largest international theatre festival, was organized by Mandala Theatre and held from Chaitra 6 to Chaitra 12, 2081. It showcased international plays, workshops, and collaborations, which helped strengthen Nepal’s theatre scene and connect it with the global stages.

Why Theatre Matters

Theatre is more than entertainment. It reflects human experiences, struggles, and feelings. Throughout history, theatre has explored many important issues, from personal relationships to social problems. Classic plays like Oedipus Rex and Antigone focus on fate, moral choices, and the effects of power. Nowadays, modern plays cover a wider variety of topics, including human rights, war, social inequality, and political corruption.

Theatre serves as a platform for cultural expression that preserves the histories and identities unique to each society. It is an emotional, engaging experience that creates a direct connection between actors and audience members. This makes it a powerful art form that encourages critical thinking and empathy.