The Regina Maria Theater, in partnership with the Bihor County Council, the Oradea City Hall, the FITO Cultural Foundation and UNITER, is organizing the 6th edition of the Oradea International Theater Festival between September 23 and 30.

As every year, spectators are invited to enjoy eight intensive days of theater, during which they will have the opportunity to watch 26 performances from renowned theater companies from across the country, as well as from abroad, and 2 reading performances. In addition to the theatrical performances, this edition will also be completed by a series of related events, which aim to create very special cultural meeting spaces.

The Oradea International Theatre Festival will include three main sections: the competition section – SHORT THEATRE FESTIVAL, reached the XXIV edition, section GUEST SHOWS – OUT OF COMPETITION and a novelty of the festival, the section WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, FOR YOUNG PEOPLE – Romania after 100 years, dedicated to the Centenary of the Great Union.

The Short Play Festival is a unique cultural event in the Romanian theatrical landscape and is competitive in nature. This year, the selection was made by Victoria Balint – head of the cultural projects and public relations office of the Regina Maria Theater and includes 14 productions made by both institutionalized theaters and those coming from the independent environment. The jury, made up of five cultural personalities, namely: theater critics Ion Parhon (who this year will occupy the position of president of the jury), Elisabeta Pop and actors Teodor Corban, Cristian Șofron and Richard Balint, will award five prizes.

The Short Play Festival also includes the "Dramatic Creation Competition Dedicated to Short Plays", which aims to encourage original Romanian dramaturgy, especially short theater. 15 texts were entered in the competition this edition, and the winner will be designated by the jury formed by theater critics Oana Borș, Claudiu Groza and actor Eugen Țugulea.

The INVITE SHOWS – OUT OF COMPETITION section is dedicated especially to Oradea residents and brings to the audience exceptional productions, which have aroused admiration everywhere they have been performed. Of the eight shows that fall into this section, two come from afar: from France – Les Rois Vagabonds, with the show „Concerto pour deux clowns” and the USA – Trap Door Theatre, with the show „Occidental Express”.

The section "WITH YOUTH, FOR YOUTH - Romania after 100 years" is part of the series of events dedicated to the Centennial of the Great Union within the festival and starts from the principle of valorizing the historical importance of the creation of Greater Romania, but through the lens of young people, those who represent the present and future of this country, who carry forward the effort of their predecessors to create a united, independent and culturally rich Romania. Within this section, several theater performances were selected that deal with social themes, emphasizing current or recent problems that young people have faced in particular.

In addition to this idea, the performances that are part of the Short Theatre Festival, whose selection starts from the same principle, will also be analyzed by a jury made up of four young students, who come from the most prestigious theater faculties in the country.

Also part of the events dedicated to the Centennial of the Great Union is the poetry performance "The Steps of the Union", performed by actor Emil Boroghină.

Also, in addition to the events dedicated to the Centennial celebration, book lovers are invited to the launch of the volume "They are among us (the book of monologues)", written by playwright Mihai Ignat.

The Oradea International Theatre Festival also joins the efforts to reconstruct the Palace of the Greek-Catholic Bishopric and launches the campaign "A FESTIVAL FOR ORADEA - together for a building, artists support the reconstruction of the Palace of the Greek-Catholic Bishopric". Admission to the open-air performances "Mioriţa", "Eutopia" and the Concert in 2 performed by Ada Milea and Bobo Burlăceanu is free, but there will be urns in which spectators can donate money for the reconstruction of the palace building, with the amount collected being transferred to the Bishopric's accounts.

The events within FITO 2018 will take place in eight different spaces, exploring both the conventional, through performances at the Great Hall of the Theatre and the Arcadia Hall, and the unconventional, through performances with the audience on stage at the Trade Unions' Culture House, the Bihor National Center for Tourist Information and Promotion, the Szigligeti Studio Hall, the Florica Ungur Hall, Studio Act and the mobile stage located outdoors.

FITO, one of the most important cultural events in Oradea, will thus bring together this year again big names of Romanian theater, including actors Maia Morgenstern, Emil Boroghină, Constantin Cojocaru, Emilian Oprea, Andreea Vasile, as well as directors, critics and theater managers. We estimate a total of 500 guests.  

We thank everyone who was with us: the official sponsor Raiffeisen Bank, the official partner Holcim, the sponsors Club Rotary Oradea, Rotary Club Oradea Art Nouveau, D&C, Mic Mobilier Trans, Lions Club, A'la Chef Catering, SC Congips, Farmacia 3 and all the media partners: Zile și Nopți Magazine, Cotidianul Crișana, Jurnalul Bihorean, Bihoreanul, Bihorștiri, Evenimente Oradea, Agerpres, Yorick Magazine, Radio România Cultural, Ghid Local, Magic FM, Aleșd Online, InfoOradea, UZP Bihor and Party Oradea.

Tickets will go on sale starting September 3 at the Theatre Agency from Tuesday to Friday between 12:00 and 18:00, and on weekends between 10:00 and 13:00. You can also purchase tickets one hour before the show or online at www.biletmaster.ro. For additional information and ticket reservations, please call: 0372/368.475.

We look forward to seeing you at the festival!

PROGRAM-FITO