FITS 2026 Comes to a Close
The Sibiu International Theater Festival has come to a close.
1autor, 29.06.2026, 13:50
One of Romania’s most important cultural events, the Sibiu International Theater Festival (center), closed its doors on Sunday. The festival, which took place from June 19 to 28, featured approximately 850 events performed by some 5,000 artists from over 80 countries. The theme of this year’s edition, ‘SOUL’, emphasizes that the soul takes precedence over technology, whether it be that of the artist or the audience member. As stated by the festival’s president, Constantin Chiriac, an actor and the general director of the “Radu Stanca” National Theater in Sibiu, the 33rd edition chose this theme to show what creation, emotion, and the connection with the audience truly mean; and this is our very reason for being, not a mere slogan.
For ten days, the former 2007 European Capital of Culture hosted theater performances, outdoor shows, music, dance, circus acts, visual installations, conferences, exhibitions, book launches, workshops, film screenings, and cultural discussions. Performances were also held in towns and villages around Sibiu. Most cultural events took place in unconventional venues and outdoors. Invited to a conversation with writer Marius Chivu, Ambassador Simona Miculescu, Romania’s permanent representative to UNESCO, stated that the Sibiu International Theater Festival represents ‘a model of cultural diplomacy’ cited as an example in numerous international meetings. She emphasized that, through its scale and international prestige, this event promotes Romania’s image around the world.
The Romanian Cultural Institute supported the participation of several major Romanian productions included in the festival’s program, helping to promote artistic excellence. Among the performances supported are “Colibri,” directed by Florin Piersic Jr., and ‘Peştele balon’ (Pufferfish) directed by Theo Herghelegiu, both productions of the Bucharest Art Theater, ‘Don Quijote’ (Don Quixote) directed by Alexandru Dabija, a production of the ACT Theater, ‘Ivanov’ directed by Eugen Jebeleanu, a production of the ‘Marin Sorescu’ National Theater in Craiova, ‘Sebastian’ directed by Matei Lucaci Grunberg, a production of the ‘Maria Filotti’ Theater in Brăila, as well as ‘The Learned Conspiracy’ directed by Marius Oltean, a production of the Liviu Rebreanu Theater Association. In recognition of their contribution to the festival’s prestige, Sibiu’s Walk of Fame has been expanded to include eight leading figures in the performing arts from around the world: Fanny Ardant, Cristian Măcelaru, Yamamoto Noh Theater, Wim Vandekeybus, Emma Dante, Elfriede Jelinek, Margareta Niculescu, and Ofelia Popii. (LS)
