The 11th International Amed Theater Festival, held this year with the theme "Dialogue for Peace," continues with theater performances and panels. Jessica Kaahwa, President of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), made evaluations about the festival, which is attended by important groups and individuals from around the world.

 

Jessica Kaahwa said that thanks to digitalization, people can create work and develop projects from their own homes, noting that its proper use is beneficial.

 

She said: “Digitalization is a good thing. We should begin by accepting that it is beneficial. People are now able to produce their work from their homes, in their own rooms. They are able to create and develop productions. However, at the same time, it is gradually diminishing the importance of the physical theater space. If everyone is working individually on their own, where is the team ensemble—one of the core aesthetics of theater? Theater thrives on collaboration: the costumier, the designer, the director, and the actors all working together. Now, we can see that all these aspects of theater are being challenged and may begin to suffer.”

 

Jessica Kaahwa emphasized that the Amed International Theatre Festival is a way of bringing together the cultures of different countries and said: “The participation of foreign groups—for example, at the Ahmed International Theater Festival—is a way of bringing diversity together. Now, we have people arriving from Nigeria; people from Uganda have been invited; and participants from other countries such as Germany and Tunisia are here as well. When we come together, we begin to appreciate each other’s art. We also recognize our similarities. When I stay here, I realize that people in Diyarbakır are just like us. This is the first step toward peace in the world: understanding that others are like you and share the same expectations about life.”

 

Jessica Kaahwa, conveying that the future of Kurdish theater is bright, stated that Kurdish theater is also one of the people's theaters and continued as follows: " All cultures have their own theatrical forms, involving drums, dance, singing, acting, and performance. Everyone participates in these expressions. What is most important, however, is how people respond to this theater. That is what makes it promising. Yesterday, the entire 1,500-seat hall was full, which shows a strong appreciation for theater here. It demonstrates that theater is being embraced.”