(From top) Artistes of World Forum Theatre perform at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 27: Young social activists from different countries came together at Rabindra Mandap in the city last week to spread awareness in a novel way on environmental and social issues. The youngsters staged interactive short plays to involve the public in issues related to sustainable development.

The plays were a part of the World Forum Theatre organised by French NGO Pistes Solidairesa and Jeevan Rekha Parishad (JRP) of India. The participants included activists from India, France, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Nepal and African country Burkino Vaso.

The youngsters performed three short plays that touched upon themes such as the environment, poverty, women empowerment, human rights and so on. The multilingual plays focused on expressions and gestures to send across the message to the audience. The actors also interacted with the viewers by talking to them and asking for suggestions for a practical situation shown in the play such as what steps should be taken during health emergencies or about their awareness on their rights in special circumstances. The plays were each around 40 minutes long.

Foreigners from different countries were seen dressed in the traditional clothes of the state. “I loved to wear the sari for the play. It was a wonderful experience to perform in the city,” said an artiste from Italy.

“Forum theatre has proven to be an impactful and effective method to involve people in social issues. The World Forum Theatre is a part of the project ‘Global Impact’ on which JRP and the France-based NGO are working together. We are supported by the European Commission for the programme,” said Madhusmita Mishra, secretary of JRP.

World Forum Theatre began in January and has been performed in 15 countries earlier.

For India, this event was held in Bhubaneswar. The next World Forum Theatre will be held at Burkino Vaso in Africa in November.