The UNITER Awards
The UNITER Awards were presented on Monday evening in Bucharest.
Roxana Vasile, 26.05.2026, 13:50
The Odeon Theatre, located in the heart of Bucharest, hosted the 34th edition of the Romanian theatre awards on Monday evening, a celebration that, beyond its purpose of recognizing excellence in theatre, reflects the fragility and vulnerability of culture, as well as its strength to endure.
It is no coincidence that the Romanian Association of Theatre Artists (UNITER) trophy, created 36 years ago by artist Ion Bițan, is inspired by the image of a book saved from the fire during the 1989 anti-communist Revolution. For the Romanian theatre community, this symbol represents the survival of culture during difficult times and the need to protect what keeps us human, as noted in a UNITER press release.
Directed by Răzvan Mazilu with set design by Dragoș Buhagiar, the production brought both established names and newcomers from the industry, alongside long-standing partners, to the stage of the Odeon Theatre to receive their awards.
One of the evening’s musical highlights was a performance by the renowned German countertenor of Romanian origin, Valer Săbăduș, who was accompanied by a quintet of musicians from Bucharest’s “George Enescu” Philharmonic.
The accolades for this year’s Gala featured sixteen competitive categories, five lifetime achievement awards, an excellence award, four special awards, a tribute award, and the UNITER President’s award.
“…in 2025, our theatre community produced over 300 performances—more than ever before, yet perhaps too few compared to what we actually need. Too few compared to how much we need to voice our thoughts, declare our love for life and this world, and share our joys together,” said UNITER President Dragoș Buhagiar. The Award for Best Performance was granted to Long Day’s Journey into Night by Eugene O’Neill, directed by Timofei Kuliabin, a production of the “Radu Stanca” National Theatre in Sibiu (Central Romania).
Radu Afrim won the Award for Best Direction for The House Between the Blocks, a production of the Târgu-Mureș National Theatre – “Tompa Miklós” Company (Central Romania).
Best Lead Actor went to Nicu Mihoc for his role as Edmund Tyrone in Long Day’s Journey into Night, while Best Lead Actress was awarded to Cătălina Mihai for her role as Janis in the production Club 27, written by Cătălina Mihai and directed by Alex Bogdan.
Special awards were presented to the Bucharest Art Theatre for resilience and dedication to independent culture; the “Marin Sorescu” National Theatre in Craiova (Southern Romania), celebrating 175 years of service to Romanian culture; and the “Vasile Alecsandri” National Theatre in Iași (Eastern Romania), honoring 185 years of history, tradition, and continuity.
Lifetime Achievement Awards were bestowed upon actress Catrinel Dumitrescu, actor Marius Bodochi, director Tompa Gabor, scenographer Marie-Jeanne Lecca, and theatre critic Marina Constantinescu.
An Award for Excellence was presented to the ACT Theatre, which, over 25 years ago, became the very first independent theatre in Romania.
Additionally, the nonagenarian actor Victor Rebengiuc received the “UNITER Tribute” distinction in recognition of his brilliant and long-lasting career. (VP)
