The Department of Performing Arts Chair Asst. Prof. Jason Hale was invited as a special guest to the International Theatre Institute gathering of the 36th ITI World Congress on February 20–25, in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. The congress was organized under the patronage of UNESCO and hosted and coorganized by the Fujairah Government, UAE.
The invitation came from ITI director general Tobias Bioncone. Bioncone visited and observed the ninth Bilkent Theatre Days, an International University Theatre Festival where 14 international and Turkish acting departments performed their graduation plays last June.
Asst. Prof. Hale’s participation deepened the Bilkent University Department of Performing Arts’ involvement as a representative member for Turkey in the ITI-UNESCO Network for Higher Education in the Performing Arts. The department joined the network in 2018.
During the congress, Asst. Prof. Hale spoke at a roundtable discussion titled “Performing Arts Education Today.” He commented, “The event allowed for collaborations and exchanges with many universities worldwide.”
As the world’s largest organization for the Performing Arts, ITI aims to create an effective platform for artists in a post-pandemic landscape. The participants honored Turkey’s earthquake victims and survivors in a moment of silence during the closing assembly. “It is important to feel the support and solidarity of other nations in these hard times.” Jason Hale said.
