The appearance of the theater in culture has deep ancient roots and dates from 497 BC. e. The first large-scale theatrical production, according to the manuscripts, took place as early as 2500 BC. Written sources of that time confirm that just that year the ancient Greeks celebrated a holiday in honor of the god Dionysus. Since the celebration was important enough for the people of that time, the Greeks actively built wooden scaffolds, such peculiar scenes on which reciters and musicians performed.
Time passed, and a few years later, instead of the usual inconspicuous wooden scaffolds on the lands of Ancient Greece, round arenas were erected, surrounded by many places for spectators. Such a scene was like the arena of a modern circus. It was in Ancient Greece that the theater began to take shape as a separate art form. For a long time there was a strong connection between religion and theatrical art. At that time, clear concepts and the separation of tragedy and comedy as a genre were formed, as well as many other theatrical forms. For staging representations, mythological images were often used.
The first Roman theaters
After the Greeks, already in 55 BC, the first official stone theater appeared in Rome, where actors who read poetry and role-playing small plays performed on a small peculiar stage, adapted ancient Greek legends and myths to the modern realities of that time. This marked the beginning of the holiday, which is customary to be celebrated among all the inhabitants of the globe who have a direct or indirect relation to art and stage - World Theater Day. This is an international professional holiday for all employees, which has long been celebrated annually and globally. Whose date is Theater Day? Have a holiday on a spring day - March 27.
Traditions
Even Shakespeare in his notorious comedy wrote lines that do not lose their relevance to this day: "The whole world is a theater, and the people in it are actors." This phrase perfectly reflects each person, because we all throughout our lives play the roles assigned to us. And from our desire, desire, talent and hard work depends on what colors it will be filled with. World Theater Day is a holiday that unites people of all nationalities and religious beliefs. This day knows no boundaries and opens itself to the whole world.
Traditionally, the celebration is accompanied by the slogan: "Theater as a means of understanding and strengthening peace between nations." Even in ancient times, through theatrical performances, people tried to convey to others problems of a global and personal scale. To this day, the theater is an incredible opportunity to say everything that excites, and the chance to be heard, to find responses in the hearts of people. Through the productions, it becomes possible to laugh at the shortcomings of society and take a fresh look at serious problems. On Theater Day, the number of visitors increases several times.
The appearance of the theater in Russia
In addition to the Greeks and Romans, the theater was a success in Ancient Russia. The path to the formation of theatrical art began with paganism, namely with rituals and religious holidays. The development of this direction dates back to the XI century, because it is in the manuscripts of those times that mentions the first actors - buffoons, whose task was to amuse the people at all kinds of fairs, bazaars and city holidays.
The first theater in Russia appeared under the reign of Peter I and was called a booth. In such places small plays were staged, which did not differ in deep meaning, and at times were even very obscene.
First theater
The first truly serious theater was opened in the distant 1795 under the direction of Count Nikolai Sheremetev. It was this man who made the greatest contribution to the development and formation of Russian theater art.
The peak of dawn in this direction of art falls at the end of the 19th century. It was at this time that truly great actors, directors and playwrights began to appear.
World Theater Day was proclaimed an international holiday not so long ago, in 1961. The initiative was voiced by the International Theater Institute. And already in 1962, the holiday was celebrated as a worldwide one. The cult French writer and playwright Jean Cocteau was entrusted with writing the first message to all the figures of theatrical art.
In fact, this day brings together a huge number of people. This is a professional holiday for theater workers who have dedicated themselves and their lives to serving for the benefit of great art. Do not miss the celebration and ordinary theatergoers who wholeheartedly love performances.
How is this day celebrated?
The International Theater Day is always fun and solemn. In Russia, for example, it is customary to arrange concerts, creative evenings of famous actors and directors, as well as master classes by the best professionals from around the world. On this day, it is customary to present the most high-profile and long-awaited premieres. Previously practiced the so-called "skits". The main figures of theatrical art gathered for the holiday. Thanks to such events, it was possible to declare oneself and, as they say, "get out of people."
International Theater Institute
The International Institute acts according to the charter and therefore calls on everyone around not to forget about Theater Day. Indeed, according to the provisions enshrined in the charter, the main activity of MIT is to strengthen peace and friendship between peoples, expand the creative community and cooperation of all representatives and workers of the theater around the world.
The International Theater Institute under UNESCO developed very rapidly and grew to the scale of one of the largest non-governmental organizations in the world. His main activity is performing arts. Representations of this organization are located in every corner of the world; these can be national centers, regional councils and various committees (there are about 100 countries with such representations).
Russia is a permanent member of the executive committee, since back in 1959 the Soviet Union received membership in the International Theater Institute.
Etymology of the word "theater"
What are the roots of the word theater? The name originates from the ancient Greek language and comes from "theatron", which means "the place where they look."
The most popular theatrical genres - comedy and tragedy, these very directions became the prototype for the international character - two masks.
Who is celebrating?
This day is celebrated not only by directors, producers, actors, it is significant even for ticket collectors and cloakroom workers working in the theater. Indeed, back in 1933, the great Russian director Konstantin Sergeyevich Stanislavsky said that the performance does not begin from the moment the production begins, but from the entrance to the theater. His words eventually paraphrased into a winged expression that instantly scattered around the world: "The theater begins with a hanger." The essence of these words is as follows: in the theater there are no secondary roles and professions. This is a single mechanism that will not be able to function if even the smallest details are lost. In many cities, theater day tickets to performances are absolutely free.
Due to the fact that on this date there are various festivals, high-profile premieres, creative evenings, for almost every person it has become a real holiday. Even though this day is not considered an official holiday and is not a day off, this does not prevent it from being celebrated on a large scale. March 27th, it is customary to congratulate all the theaters of the world, to award them with diplomas, prizes and pleasant gifts. This tradition has taken root not only in large cities, but also in the regions.
International Theater Day is an event close to the hearts of not only workers, it is a holiday that is also important for millions of concerned spectators living on planet Earth. But not only the date of March 27 is important for theatrical art. The premiere of the performance is a day at the theater, which is already considered the most important event.