Adana prepares for 15th theater fest

Adana is preparing to host the 15th edition of the International Sabanci State Theaters Festival, which kicks off on March 27, World Theater Day. State Theater General Manager Lemi Bilgin attended the press meeting and announced that the festival would bring artists from 16 Turkish and seven international theater companies to Adana. "Adana has previously hosted 5,000 artists from Turkey and around the world. The festival is becoming one of the most popular theater festivals in the country," he said. This year the festival will host seven countries and will showcase both private and state theater companies. "The Shakespeare Globe Theater will be coming to Adana and this will be their first time attending a festival in Turkey," said Bilgin. The festival will also feature Bollywood musical theater from India, which will also be a first for Turkey. Bilgin expressed his gratitude to the Sabanci Foundation for its support for the festival, adding that the festival had found many supporters. The Adana Theater Festival has become international in scope within a very short period of time. Over the past 14 years, it has hosted 70 international theater ensembles from 66 countries. It has held a total of 248 plays and 525 performances. Speaking during the press conference, Sabanci Foundation General Manager Zerrin Koyunsagan said they have been working closely with the state theaters for many years. "This is very important cooperation between private sector and public sector. During the first years of the festival it has started with the support of Sakip Sabanci as a small regional celebration. Now it has developed and entered a new era," she said. Koyunsagan added that the festival had even been carried onto the streets of Adana. "The festival has organized events on Tas Kopru [Stone Bridge]. More than 60,000 Adana locals watch this festival each year," she said, adding that the aim was to continue the festival for many years.