THE GOAN NETWORK | LONDON
Members of the Tiatr fraternity in the UK have resolved to go ahead with the formation of a Tiatr Academy, to protect and preserve Tiatr and to ensure that Konkani flourishes among families and the future generation in the UK.
This was discussed and decided at the second meeting of the Tiatr fraternity in the UK at Saint Anselm’s Church, Southall, on April 1. A group of committed Tiatrists had gathered to show support and plan the future of the proposed Tiatr Academy.
This meeting followed from the first meeting of stakeholders in the Tiatr fraternity on February 4, which was convened by Fr Lucas Rodrigues, sfx, Parish Priest of St Peter’s RC Church, Swindon, Goan Chaplain of the Swindon Goan Chaplaincy and a noted Tiatr actor, writer and director, at the St Anselm’s Church Hall in Southall.
During that meeting on February 4, nearly 100 Tiatrists had given a clear mandate to go ahead with a Tiatr Academy in the UK.
Fr Rodrigues presented a draft of the Constitution for the proposed Tiatr Academy.
In his address at the meeting, Fr Rodrigues said: “We need to put our hearts and minds together today for the sake of the future generation. We need to protect and preserve Tiatr in the UK. Our identity is our language and so, Konkani needs to flourish and grow in our families and with the future generation through Tiatr.”
Fr Rodrigues said the next exercise is to bring together all writers/directors along with all the Tiatr producers and organisers to explain the importance of the future steps, to take every stakeholder into confidence and to plan the future calendar for 2024-25.
When asked to comment on the second meeting, Fr Rodrigues said “I personally felt it was a good meet, with a lot of positives floated during the discussion.”
“Although the road looks to be tough and uncertain at times, I am confident that we are on the right track. I am sure with the support and collaboration of many, we will see the dream come true for Tiatrists and Tiatr lovers in the UK,” he added.
