Interview. Chiriac (Sibiu International Theater Festival): Sibiu and Luxembourg are the most important cultural models that Europe has had

The Sibiu International Theater Festival is a globally recognized event that promotes excellence in the performing arts. BR talked to the festival’s president, Constantin Chiriac, to find out how love – this year’s theme – will bring together an impressive number of actors, performances and events.

How did you select the theme of love in the performing arts?

The festival started as a concept to make sense of things in a country which, unfortunately, has a very commonly used phrase, “I can handle it/ma descurc”, which I personally find disturbing. This phrase is deeply rooted in the history of Romania. I believe that firstly we should respect each other and then to try to implement a long-term vision of our projects, like other creative industries all over the world. Indeed, this is what we do.

Our festival is anchored in time, as well by as the theme proposed, counteracting what is happening in the country and around the world. We’re currently seeing hate, separation and disunion, which is precisely why we need love. For these challenges, we should return to what is essential for us as humans, as couples, as part of a community and as a nation. We should remind ourselves what’s beautiful, deep, long-lasting in our own bodies, in our soul and in our spirit: it’s love. This is why our theme came naturally.

What does 24 years of activity say about the Sibiu International Theater Festival?

At the very first festival, there were three countries present and eight performances. Now, it’s the biggest theater festival in the world, although it may seem a little ambitious to say so, especially compared with Edinburgh and Avignon. However, if we are talking only about performing arts, then we can live up to the title. The other festivals offer Fringe and Off Theater, where anyone can participate, which is an exceptional example and a very democratic formula for an artist to demonstrate their capabilities, whether they are trained or an amateur. However, looking at the big picture, 90 percent of the shows are mediocre, so we decided that no Fringe or Off Theater should be added to the program.

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Instead, we chose to develop the Sibiu Performing Arts Market, which has developed as an important cultural network, facilitating connections between festivals and artists, independent performing arts companies and public institutions. Every year, participants from all over the world, representing various cultural organizations, artistic management agencies, public institutions and independent companies, meet in Sibiu to establish connections and start possible future partnerships.

You often talk about the new public. Who are they?

They are a challenge we have taken on. The new public consists of those who have accepted the cultural change we offered with our street shows where miracles happen. We have brought the beauty of theater closer to those people who didn’t have the courage to enter a theater hall. We managed to create this new public, which is not only from Sibiu or from the region, but worldwide.

You’ve also improved performing arts education significantly. How did this happen?

Thanks to the complexity and power of the festival, we have been able to help all the other structures of theater. Our theater school has unprecedented credibility; it is the only school that hasn’t created unemployed graduates and all the tickets for the students’ performances sell out, just to name a few examples.

Furthermore, there is the doctoral program with exceptional professors who also teach in some of the world’s most famous performing arts universities. When you put it this way, everything sounds different. It’s true that we don’t yet have the infrastructure, but we have amazing content. This is what the new theater to be opened in Sibiu will develop. We have the grounds of a great work of art, from all points of view.

Is Sibiu celebrating ten years since it was European Cultural Capital?

Sibiu and Luxembourg are the most important cultural models that Europe has had because their collaboration became a common language for performing arts. The partnership between the two cities is an outstanding example of development and continuity of the concept of European Capital of Culture. In fact, over time, the number of mutual projects outstripped those organized for 2007; this is how well we work together. Back then, we put on Metamorphosis, a performance put together in Luxembourg, which became ours, courtesy of them. Now, Metamorphosis will return to Luxembourg in July. Additionally, our actors from the German theater will be part of a performance conceived in Luxembourg, based on an Ingmar Bergman text, and following the premiere, it will be given to Sibiu.

Nonetheless, during the festival, Sibiu will be the host for Timisoara, Elefsina (Greece) and Novi Sad (Serbia), the three cities chosen as European Cultural Capital for 2021.

Is everything settled for the Sibiu International Theater Festival 2017?

Everything is 99.99 percent settled in terms of program and performances. Once again, we have had to wait for a response regarding the Sala Sindicatelor hall, which doesn’t yet have approval from the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, but this year we organized the program better, without taking that hall into consideration for the festival. Also, we are open for discussions with the property owners to improve the hall so that theater performances can also benefit more from it.