Fourah bay: World Theater Day 2026 was commemorated on 27 March with a specialized Creative Writing Masterclass hosted by the Art, Culture, and Creative Arts Society Centre (ACACSC). Held on the first floor of University House, Fourah Bay, University of Sierra Leone, the gathering transformed a historic academic space into a vibrant hub for theatrical instruction and cultural exchange.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, Mr. Foday Jalloh, Director of Cultural Creativity and Innovation at the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, framed the day as a tribute to all practitioners shaping the theater industry whether on physical stages, across television and radio broadcasts, or within community-driven performances. This year’s observance at Fourah Bay College featured a collaborative masterclass involving the Sayalium and University Theater Groups. Structured as a ‘training of trainers’ session, the initiative aimed to equip participants with skills to replicate and expand theatrical knowledge within their own communities.
Mr. Jalloh underscored the significance of the timing, noting that 2026 marks the Ministry’s declared Year of Cultural and Creativity. The masterclass, he stated, aligned directly with the year’s broader objectives. Participants were presented with certificates of attendance in recognition of their active engagement.
Mr. Jalloh acknowledged the constraints under which the Ministry operates. Limited funding and resources restrict its capacity to serve the ten distinct sectors comprising the creative and cultural industry music, theater, film, weaving, carving, and sculpture among them. Mobility poses a particular challenge, with staff frequently relying on personal vehicles or commercial transport, as the Ministry has only two official vehicles designated for the Minister and Deputy Minister.
Despite these hurdles, Mr. Jalloh reaffirmed the Ministry’s steadfast commitment to its mandate. Under the leadership of Honorable Minister Nabeela Farida Tunis, the Ministry continues to drive national economic contribution through the protection, preservation, packaging, and promotion of cultural assets. He described the cultural sector as the very foundation of tourism, emphasizing that collaboration between the two sectors remains central to positioning Sierra Leone as a premier destination for international visitors.
The commemoration concluded with a renewed pledge to harness theater as a vehicle for development, engaging communities through performance to deliver essential social messages and advance national progress.