In an interview with Iwacu this August 28th, Arthur Banshayeko, a Burundian comedian and theater director says theater is faced with a few problems in Burundi.
Arthur Banshayeko: “Theater is not a job to take for granted”
“We lack materials. We should have costume, sound, set and lighting designers, what is not the case in Burundi. We are still behind compared to other countries,” he says.
For him, theater groups are faced with financial challenges because the investment in the sector is very poor.
“The Burundian public has not yet understood theater as a real space for exchange and sharing, as meetings around fire in former times,” he says.
For him, theater has become a simple business of young people seeking leisure and relaxation.
Mr. Banshayeko says copyright is not guaranteed in Burundi. “The office in charge of ensuring copyrights (OBDEA) does not actually protect our work,” he also says.
“Theater is not a job to take for granted,” he says adding that it is a job that requires financial resources, rigor, time and space.
He calls on investors to invest in the theater sector and people to attend massively plays.
“Theater teaches the society without addressing anyone,” he adds.
He says the government of Burundi should work hard to guarantee copyright.
Iwacu has tried to contact OBDEA in vain.
IWACU Open Data
