2025 World Theatre Day Celebration: Theodoros Terzopoulos Makes A Call To Action For Theatre Community
By Mathias Essien
As the world unites to celebrate World Theatre Day 2025, theatre enthusiasts, practitioners, and scholars reflect on the power of the stage to challenge, heal, and inspire. This year’s commemoration takes on a profound significance with the President of the International Theatre Institute, Theodoros Terzopoulos’ message, which urges theatre to respond to the global crises of our time—ecological devastation, digital isolation, and the erosion of human connection.
In his impassioned address, Terzopoulos questions theatre’s role in a world increasingly dominated by technology, political manipulation, and environmental catastrophe. “Can theatre hear the SOS call that our times are sending out?” he asks, calling for theatre to move beyond self-reflection and become an active force within the ecosystem”.
“Quoting German playwright Heiner Müller, he highlights the evolving nature of myth and its ability to connect with new realities. In this spirit, he calls on theatre-makers to reconstruct narratives that shed light on contemporary social trauma rather than merely illuminating the stage itself”.
Terzopoulos also maintained that the spirit of Dionysus, the ancient god of theatre, lives on—bridging past, present, and future. In an era where humanity teeters between chaos and order, theatre remains a crucial space for questioning, reflecting, and reimagining the world.
In his message, Terzopoulos poses critical questions about the role of theatre in addressing the pressing issues of our time, including ecological destruction, social media manipulation, and the erosion of human connection.
“Can theatre hear the SOS call that our times are sending out?” Terzopoulos asks. “Is theatre concerned about ecological destruction, global warming, and massive biodiversity loss?”
He challenges theatre practitioners to become an active part of the ecosystem, to function as a workshop for coexistence, and to shed light on social trauma.
To mark the Theatre Day 2025, Dr. Umanah-Tusi, a renowned theatre entrepreneur, is launching the “Development Theatre Experience” initiative, aimed at injecting new life into the theatre ecosystem.
The high point of the celebration was performances by students of Theatre and Film Studies, University of Uyo.
As part of the celebrations, theatre enthusiasts are encouraged to engage with the World Theatre Day message and reflect on the power of theatre to shape our world.
