LAHORE: A three-day Tamasha Festival 2017 -- Performing Arts Festival -- opened at the Alhamra Art Centre on The Mall here on Friday.

The festival presents theatre performances for young, training workshops from upcoming directors, master workshops from international trainers for local artists and discussion sessions for general public.

It is also hosting the 7th Asia Meet which is a meeting of national centers, corresponding centers and individual members of Assitej International from the Asian and Australian continents.

The opening event on Friday was attended by special guests and people from the theatre and performing arts.

Festival manager Umair Mushtaq said: “The unique aspect of the festival is that it targets children and young audiences which have never happened in the history of Lahore’s arts and culture landscape.”

The festival will present eight major theatre plays, 21 performances by school groups and 10 interactive workshops for children, families and educators, including different storytelling, theatrical, musical and dance performances, along with some amazing school tamashas (performances) by renowned theatre groups/organizations all designed keeping in mind the young audiences.

Other than the performances, there will be informative and innovative workshops on how to incorporate performing arts and theatre in education.

Renowned theatre, music and dance professionals from the performing arts and literature will be joining us in panel talks sharing their experiences, views and aspirations which will be a great learning experience for the youth.

The Tamasha Festival is organized by Assitej (Pakistan), it is a chapter of Assitej International which unites theatres, organizations and individuals throughout the world who make theatre for children and young people.

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2017