The headquarters of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) is being relocated to Shanghai, China, says a press release.
After staying in Paris for 66 years, it is expected that the general secretariat will move to Shanghai in April, 2015, adds the release.
ITI, to note, is the umbrella organisation, founded in 1948, by theatre and dance experts and UNESCO with the exclusive goal of empowering ‘performing arts as an indispensable bridge-builder for mutual international understanding and peace’.
A memorandum of understanding has been signed between ITI and Shanghai Theatre Academy recently (October 31) in Shanghai. Ramendu Majumdar, worldwide president of ITI, and Tobias Biancone, director general of ITI, signed the MOU on behalf of ITI while Lou Wei, chairman of Shanghai Theatre Academy signed on behalf of the Chinese side.
According to the MOU, the Shanghai Municipality, through Shanghai Theatre Academy, will bear all expenses of ITI general secretariat for a five year period.
‘Shanghai expects ITI to be an international player that brings performing arts professionals, artists, productions, scholars, experts and members of ITI to the city of Shanghai. ITI will also do joint projects with Shanghai Theatre Academy’, expected Weng Thehui, vice mayor of Shanghai.
A liaison office will, however, remain in Paris. The relocation plan will finally be ratified by the member countries in the forthcoming world congress of ITI beginning on November 17 in Yerevan, Armenia.
-With New Age input
