This year, World Theatre Day was observed this year centrally in Guangzhou, China on March 27 at the initiative of Chinese Centre of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) and ITI General Secretariat. Honourary President of ITI worldwide Ramendu Majumdar and Bangladesh ITI Vice-President Professor Abdus Selim joined the celebrations at the invitation of Chinese ITI. Internationally famed Russian director Anatoly Vasiliev read out his world theatre day message in the event, says a press release. Ramendu Majumdar, along with seven other dignitaries opened the celebrations by playing the traditional Chinese drum.
A daylong forum was organised on March 27 on Asian traditional theatre. Delegates from 17 Asian countries gave presentations on the status of traditional theatre in their respective countries. Ramendu Majumdar, in his presentation, showed some examples of traditional theatre of Bangladesh and stressed the need to provide livelihood to traditional theatre practitioners. On March 28, a meeting of the representatives of Asia-Pacific Regional Council of ITI was held, where Chinese ITI President, Dr. Ji Gouping, ITI Director General, Tobias Biancone and Ramendu Majumdar addressed the meeting. It was decided to reorganise the Regional Centre during the next ITI Congress, which will be held from May 30 to June 5 in Manaus, Brazil.