“Radu Stanca” National Theatre Sibiu at the Sharm El Sheikh International Theatre Festival for Youth

Radu Stanca National Theatre Sibiu (TNRS) will participate in the 11th edition of the Sharm El-Sheikh International Theater Festival for Youth (SITFY), held in Egypt from 1 to 5 November 2026, with Romania as the Guest of Honour. Under the artistic coordination of Constantin Chiriac, the Romanian programme includes theatre performances, concerts, a masterclass, workshops and professional meetings. Diana Lazăr, an actress at Radu Stanca National Theatre Sibiu, is among the international theatre personalities being honoured at this year's edition and will receive an award during the opening ceremony on 1 November.

SITFY is a platform for encounters and exchanges of experience among young theatre practitioners from around the world, particularly those from theatre schools, universities and performing arts training centres. Through performances, workshops, conferences and related events, the festival places new generations of artists at the heart of its programme, encouraging intercultural dialogue and engagement with audiences in Sharm El-Sheikh and beyond.

The festival is organised by the Egyptian Theater Club Association for Culture and Arts, in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture and the South Sinai Governorate. The festival's founder and president is Mazen El-Gharabawy.

The participation of Radu Stanca National Theatre Sibiu in the Sharm El-Sheikh International Theater Festival for Youth, an edition at which Romania is the Guest of Honour, is organised in partnership with the Embassy of Romania in the Arab Republic of Egypt, with the significant involvement of Her Excellency Ambassador Olivia Toderean. The mobilisation of the resources required for this exceptional Romanian artistic presence is also an opportunity to mark the 120th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2026. The participation of Radu Stanca National Theatre in this festival contributes to the promotion of Romanian culture and the strengthening of Romanian-Egyptian cultural dialogue.

The cultural project is funded by the Romanian Ministry of Culture.

Programme of Romanian Participation

On 1 November, the festival's opening ceremony will include an award presentation honouring actress Diana Lazăr and a concert by Grupul Iza.

On 2 November, Constantin Chiriac, General Director of Radu Stanca National Theatre Sibiu and President of the Sibiu International Theatre Festival, will deliver a masterclass. On the same day, the SYFT Open Market will open between 12:00 and 14:00. Andrada Oltean will lead a workshop on 2, 3 and 4 November.

The performance “Puzzle”, directed by Ianoș Petrașcu, will be presented on 3 November at 17:30, at the Sharm El-Sheikh Culture Palace.

On 4 November, the programme will include the “Romanian Theatre Celebration Panel”, dedicated to Romanian theatre, as well as a screening of “Dincolo de uitare”, by Cosmin Stănilă, between 12:00 and 13:30.

On 5 November at 19:30, Grupul Iza will give a second concert, bringing traditional Romanian music to an international audience.

This year's participation of Radu Stanca National Theatre Sibiu builds on the relationships established with the Sharm El-Sheikh festival during previous editions. In 2018, the General Director of Radu Stanca National Theatre Sibiu chaired the international jury of the festival's third edition, while in 2024 he was named an Honorary Personality of its ninth edition.