Friday marked the start of the 32nd edition of the Sibiu International Theatre Festival, taking place from June 20 to 29. The official opening featured a sold-out concert by Alexandru Tomescu and Dragoș Ilie, part of the Stradivarius International Tour. In a packed cathedral, FITS President Constantin Chiriac spoke about the joy of launching the Festival, the efforts behind organizing this edition, and the reverence the FITS team expresses through this year’s theme – THANK YOU.
The opening also included speeches by Mrs. Astrid Fodor – Mayor of Sibiu, Mr. Emil Hurezeanu – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Ramona Chiriac – Head of the European Commission Representation in Romania, and Mrs. Raluca Turcan, Member of the Romanian Parliament, representing Sibiu.
The first day brought to the stage the play Death No Longer Eats Yogurt, directed by the renowned Tiago Rodrigues, Artistic Director of the Avignon Theatre Festival. The performance by the Belgian company NTGent is inspired by a true story about the director’s father.
Chirița in Concert in Chișinău, directed by Ada Milea and performed by a troupe from Moldova’s capital, delighted audiences at the State Philharmonic. This comedy cleverly unmasks the morals of past and present.
Also featured yesterday was Flamenco Fusion by the Spanish Flamenco Ballet, a unique and captivating theatrical experience that blends the passion and skill of Spanish dance and flamenco with the freshness and innovation of jazz.
Ymir’s Dream invited the audience in the Great Square on a journey through five dreamlike states, with high-flying acrobatics and live music.
The evening continued with a concert by the Hungarian Royal Gypsy Orchestra, which set the atmosphere ablaze with rhythms that merged classical orchestral works with traditional Hungarian folk music arrangements.
The first day of the festival concluded with a nighttime drone show, ending with a grand and heartfelt “Mulțumesc / Thank You” in Theatre Square.
Sibiu International Theatre Festival: 842 Events and 5,000 Artists from 82 Countries
The Sibiu International Theatre Festival (FITS), one of the world’s largest and most prestigious theatre festivals, is taking place this year in Sibiu from June 20 to June 29. The theme of the 32nd edition is THANK YOU. FITS 2025 includes 842 scheduled events and welcomes over 5,000 artists from 82 countries.
This year’s theme – THANK YOU – reflects a connection between generosity, joy, the power of giving, emotion, and the relationship between artists and the audience, facilitated by all those who support this miraculous process.
The FITS app includes all events scheduled for this year’s edition and offers personalized scheduling and many other features. The FITS app is available for free download on Google Play (for Android) and the App Store (for iOS).
Real-time updates about FITS are available on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and via the FITS Newsletter at: fitsibiu.substack.com.
Day Three Features a Special Conference with Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt, a Performance by Milo Rau, The Glass Garden, and The Spiral of Life in the Great Square
As per tradition, FITS features FITSRecommends during the festival — a daily guide highlighting the most captivating shows of the day, helping those in Sibiu make the most inspiring and fitting choices. On June 22, the third day of the Festival, the program includes a dialogue between Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt and journalist Ionuț Sociu, The Seer – a performance by Milo Rau, The Glass Garden – based on the novel by Tatiana Țîbuleac, recipient of the European Union Prize for Literature, and a suspended sculpture 40 meters above the ground, part of The Spiral of Life in the Great Square.
Day three of the festival brings together artists from approximately 20 countries, presenting dozens of captivating performances, including 15 free outdoor shows and 3 performances available online. The cheapest ticket of the day is only 30 lei.
Daily Summary in Numbers:
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Approximately 20 countries presenting captivating performances
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15 free outdoor performances
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3 online performances
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Cheapest ticket: 30 lei
Top Recommendations for June 22:
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Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt in dialogue with Ionuț Sociu, Democratic Forum of Germans (Mirror Hall), 12:00 PM
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FITS Talks with Marius Chivu – online, 1:00 PM
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The Glass Garden, Mihai Eminescu National Theatre, Chișinău – Fabrica de Cultură UniCredit, Lulu Hall, 4:00 PM
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Northern Pool, ARCUB – Cultural Center of Bucharest, Teatrul GONG – Ground Floor Hall, 5:00 PM
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Mozart’s Requiem KV626, Dorking Choral Society with renowned Romanian soloists, Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral “St. Mary”, 7:00 PM
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Blood Wedding, “Radu Stanca” National Theatre Sibiu, TNRS Main Hall, 8:00 PM
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Glory to God, Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University, Ursuline Church, 8:00 PM
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Digits, “George Enescu” National University of Arts Iași, Teatrul GONG – Upstairs Hall, 9:00 PM
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Radio Nostalgia, University of Arts Târgu-Mureș – Faculty of Hungarian Arts, Faculty of Letters and Arts – CAVAS Hall, 11:00 PM