World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People,

March 20th, 2018

We invite you to send the WD 2018 press release to your local and national media contacts.

ASSITEJ (French acronym – Association Internationale du Théatre pour L´Enfance et la Jeunesse) is the only association of its kind connecting thousands of theatre makers, artists, educators and producers dedicated to theatre for children across the world.

ASSITEJ has members in over 100 countries across the globe, including 80 National Centers. On March 20th, the global campaign #takeachildtothetheatre advocates for the cultural entitlement of children to have access to spaces for creative play, performance, theatre and expression.

March 20th is ASSITEJ World Day of Theatre for Children and is celebrated worldwide through the campaign Take a Child to the Theatre

This year’s messages has been written by Mohamad al Jounde, 17, from Syria, who won the 2017 International Children’s Right Prize for having created schools for refugee children in Lebanon, and by Mo Willems, from the USA, creator of multi-awarded books , tv shows, and theater plays for children. 

A message has also been written by President of ASSITEJ Yvette Hardie from South Africa.

More info can be found here :

https://www.assitej-international.org/en/the-world-day-of-theater-2018/

Mohamad al Jounde says:

‘Theater still one of the best ways to express yourself and a mirror to show people what’s good and wrong in our world, the stage is a space where you can create your own world, where you can feel your dreams coming to life.’.

Mo Willems says:

‘When you’re snuggled in your seats and the curtain rises, know that you’ll see more than just a show; you will experience a new, special connection with a child who is special to you. Oh, and that kid will probably have fun, too.’

ASSITEJ President Yvette Hardie says:

‘The rough magic that can transform a dusty playground, or a township hall, a school classroom, or a refugee compound, is often what is most needed – not just because it is more practical and economical to meet children in their everyday circumstances, but also, more profoundly, because it IS magic’.

Read the full World Day Messages here:

https://www.assitej-international.org/en/the-world-day-of-theater-2018/

See the promotional ASSITEJ World Day 2018 Film has been created in Uruguay by Alvaro Adib

Watch it on Youtube : HERE

International cooperation

Since 2017, ASSITEJ links with ITI and UNIMA celebrating the power of performing arts, through the new initiative of World Performance Week joining World Day of Theatre for Children (March 20), World Puppetry Day (March 21) and World Theatre Day (March 27).

Ends

For further information, interviews or images contact François Fogel, Chair of Communications on +33 660445059 or email francois@scenesdenfance-assitej.fr or Louis Valente, Secretary General at assitejsg@gmail.com

https://www.assitej-international.org

www.facebook.com/Assitej.International

https://twitter.com/ASSITEJ