This year's theatre festival features a wide variety of productions. I believe it is essential nowadays for society to become a place where different people can build different kinds of happiness, just the way they are. To symbolise this, there will be a diverse array of works from various different countries. We are limited by all kinds of restrictions, such as 'It has to be this way', 'that is not appropriate', or 'it is wrong to do that'. The internet was supposed to free our society, but it seems to be creating the opposite situation.

Works from all over the world impart many different things to us. Each society's unique common sense offers fresh surprises, prompting us to exclaim, 'Oh, is that possible?' It brings us joy to realise that even though we have lived in entirely different environments, we are still able to share our hearts with each other. We start to feel 'We humans are just so wonderful'. It also makes us proud of the place we live in. The grass looks greener on the other side, but when we meet people from different countries, see their works and listen to their stories, we begin to feel, 'That side looks good, but there are many good things here, too'.

Of course, we have a wide range of Japanese productions as well. There will also be a new production by BIRD Theatre Company TOTTORI. You can enjoy music and art as well as theatrical performances. And one of the most exciting parts, the much-awaited festival party, suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will return this year. Come join us at BIRD Theatre Festival 17, where we celebrate the theme: 'We are all different. We all should be.'

BIRD Theatre Festival Artistic Director　NAKASHIMA Makoto