The World Theatre Day Message 2011

The author of this year’s #WTD11 message is Jessica A. Kaahwa. This is meant to be read prior to curtain in the theatre on or around March 27, 2011.

A Case for Theatre in Service of Humanity
Jessica A. Kaahwa, Uganda

Today’s gathering is a true reflection of the immense potential of theatre to mobilize communities and bridge the divides.

Have you ever imagined that theatre could be a powerful tool for peace and reconciliation? While nations spend colossal sums of money on peace-keeping missions in violent conflict areas of the world, little attention is given to theatre as a one-on-one alternative for conflict transformation and management. How can the citizens of mother-earth achieve universal peace when the instruments employed come from outside and seemingly repressive powers?

Theatre subtly permeates the human soul gripped by fear and suspicion, by altering the image of self – and opening a world of alternatives for the individual and hence the community.  It can give meaning to daily realities while forestalling an uncertain future. It can engage in the politics of peoples’ situations in simple straightforward ways. Because it is inclusive, theatre can present an experience capable of transcending previously held misconceptions.

Additionally, theatre is a proven means of advocating and advancing ideas that we collectively hold and are willing to fight for when violated.

To anticipate a peaceful future, we must begin by using peaceful means that seek to understand, respect and recognize the contributions of every human being in the enterprise of harnessing peace. Theatre is that universal language by which we can advance messages of peace and reconciliation.

By actively engaging participants, theatre can bring many-a-soul to deconstruct previously held perceptions, and, in this way, gives an individual the chance of rebirth in order to make choices based on rediscovered knowledge and reality. For theatre to thrive, among other art forms, we must take the bold step forward by incorporating it into daily life, dealing with critical issues of conflict and peace.

In pursuance of social transformation and reformation of communities, theatre already exists in war-torn areas and among populations suffering from chronic poverty or disease.  There are a growing number of success stories where theatre has been able to mobilize publics to build awareness and to assist post-war trauma victims. Cultural platforms such as the “International Theatre Institute” which aims at “consolidating peace and friendship between peoples” are already in place.

It is therefore a travesty to keep quiet in times like ours, in the knowledge of the power of theatre, and let gun wielders and bomb launchers be the peacekeepers of our world. How can tools of alienation possibly double as instruments of peace and reconciliation?

I urge you on this World Theatre Day to ponder this prospect and to put theatre forth as a universal tool for dialogue, social transformation and reform.  While the United Nations spends colossal amount of monies on peacekeeping missions around the world, through the use of arms, theatre is a spontaneous, human, less costly and by far a more powerful alternative.

While it may not be the only answer for bringing peace, theatre should surely be incorporated as an effective tool in peacekeeping missions.

Me and Life

conceptual performance

Concept

As an artist what invites me to look in to this is one artistic site “pansa mol prehistoric rock carving site” has been leased to DMC Mangalji and mining Co. and they are planning to undertake mining on this site which would cause destruction of this heritage site.

Project focuses on how mining and its whole activities are affecting environment, human bodies and mind, exploring mining material, huge sound disturbance, political, economical and social aspects of it.

It not only concentrates on negative side of the mining industry but also the fact that how this mining industry is also invisibly and some time visibly plays its part in developmental/recreational activities. At a time it has become threat for one of the heritage site, but funds for lot of cultural activity. Human body performs role as protesting body by making human chain but also same body enjoys the football matches funded by same mining industry.

 Proposal is to collaborate with two other artists and to visit some of the actual mining sites in GOA, Pansa mol area, to undertake testimonies of the local residents, video footages and sound tracks.

With this compiled field research work to transform it into performance peace, concentrating on following areas:

Ø     Individual performances of artist exploring there experiences and mining material like iron ore / bauxite, or rejected material. How human body becomes the part of the whole mining industry.

Ø     Video installation through Television sets of some of the testimonies and footages keeping in mind the artistic value and not making it mere documentation/informatory material.  Exploring the Virtual reality of the project. How the bloging and videos become the imagery. How the same body enjoys the football matches or carnival and protest virtually.

Ø     Sound installation – mining blasts, continuous transport system sounds, carnival or football crowd sound.