The Latin phrase, 'annus horribilis' (horrible year), aptly sums up the story of 2020, the last year of this decade.

After seven months of closure due to the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) is set to reopen its theatre halls (National Theatre Hall, Experimental Theatre Hall and Studio Theatre Hall) from October 23 with one-third seating capacity and following a set of health directives.

The theatre scene in Bangladesh has never lacked its share of enthusiasts but like everything else was forced to bite the dust once the pandemic arrived and the country went into lockdown mode. Good news awaits however, as theatres are expected to get permission to stage shows once again, according to Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation's Secretary General Kamal Bayazid.

With the participation of 400 drama groups across 64 districts, the first ever National Drama Festival 2020 will begin at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on Wednesday.