The Colombo International Theatre Festival (CITF) marks its 10th anniversary this year. Established in 2012 by M. Safeer, the CITF has become a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s cultural landscape in the years since, evolving significantly over the past decade.
This 10th edition, which takes place in Colombo from 24-30 August, stands out not only for its celebratory nature but also for its unique approach to theatre and its diverse showcase of 16 productions from 10 countries.
The CITF Founder spoke to The Sunday Morning Brunch about how the festival began: “When I travelled overseas for theatre workshops and conferences, practitioners often asked how many festivals we had in Sri Lanka,” he recalled. “Back then, we had none, which was the primary reason for organising this festival.”
The 10th edition of the CITF promises to be particularly special. Safeer highlighted a pivotal change in the festival’s strategy: “We have shifted to monodrama competitions – one-man performances,” he explained. This strategic adjustment allows for a more manageable format, reducing the extensive resources required for larger productions and focusing on the intimate, personal nature of monodramas.
“In today’s world theatre scenario, monodramas are easier to manage financially and logistically compared to traditional theatre productions. Most of the productions this year will have minimal dialogue. We aim to showcase how powerful theatre can be through movement, dance, and minimal spoken words,” he added.
This year’s CITF will feature 16 productions from 10 countries, all of which will focus on non-verbal and minimal dialogue performances to align with the global trend towards more abstract and expressive forms of theatre, providing audiences with a unique and enriching experience.
A standout feature of this year’s CITF is the inclusion of international productions and workshops. “We are inviting productions from various countries to Colombo, offering a great chance to experience different kinds of international theatre. Don’t miss this opportunity,” Safeer announced, encouraging visitors to attend.
“The CITF will host workshops conducted by foreign directors, with prior registration required. These workshops are set to offer invaluable learning experiences for both local and international theatre practitioners.”
Adding to the festival’s prestige, Sissy Papathanassiou from Greece will serve as the Chief Guest. Papathanassiou is a renowned historian, author, and director, and serves as the Founder and President of the Analogio International Festival. Her presence underscores the festival’s commitment to fostering international connections and cultural exchange.
In a touching tribute, the CITF will honour the late Jayalath S. Gomes, a significant figure in Sri Lankan theatre. Safeer reflected: “Every year, we felicitate a person from Sri Lanka who has made notable contributions to the field. This year, we are honouring Gomes, whose impact on Sri Lankan theatre is immeasurable.”
This edition of CITF will also feature a parallel event in Assam, India, immediately following the Colombo festival. This expansion reflects the growing international scope of the CITF. Safeer revealed: “The parallel festival in Assam has been a significant achievement for us, with productions from our festival receiving awards and recognition.”
The CITF will take place from 24-30 August at the Elphinstone Theatre, Maradana. For more information and to register, visit https://citf.lk
The key events of CITF
Opening show
- 24 August: ‘Love and Lockdown’ by M. Safeer (Sri Lanka)
International monodrama competitions
- 25 August: ‘Nijinsky’ by Mălina Andrei (Romania) and ‘A Story for Eurydice’ by Luisa Guarro (Italy)
- 26 August: ‘Alaa’ by Mohammad Kazemtabar (Iran) and ‘Gigolo’ by Devang Tewari (India)
- 27 August: ‘Katabaza’ by Dominik Setlak (Poland) and ‘My Mother’s Diary’ by Amitai Kedar (Israel)
- 28 August: ‘Salma Deewani’ by Bhagyashree Tarke (India) and ‘Palunko’s Wife’ by Iva Peter-Dragan (Croatia)
- 29 August: ‘Aamar Aami’ by Ashim Das (Bangladesh) and ‘Mt. Rushmore’ by Nehemiah Luckett/Theresa Buchheister (the US)
South Asian monodrama – Flatform performance
- 25 August: ‘Meri Muniy’ by Dr. Vidhu Khare Das (India)
- 26 August: ‘She is Naked’ by Fr. Peter Hemapriya Botejue (Sri Lanka)
- 27 August: ‘I Want to Fly Like a Kite’ by Nehal Bhattacharjee (India)
- 28 August: ‘Wawula’ by Anuruddha Heenatigala (Sri Lanka) and ‘A Forgotten Tale’ by Satish Kumar (India)
- 29 August: ‘A River’s Tale’ by Dr. Mrinal Jyoti Goswami (India)
Parallel festival – Assam, India
- 3-7 September: Includes performances like ‘Swing of Love’ by M. Safeer (India-Sri Lanka), ‘Ophelia’ by Masoud Tayebi (Iran), and ‘Followers’ by Ankhzul Tuvshin (Mongolia), among others
Theatre workshops
- 25-29 August: At the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Colombo
Colombo Theatre Forum
- 26-29 August: International Directors’ Conference at Goethe-Institut, Colombo
Awards night
- 30 August: Awards will be presented