Chisinau hosts BITEI theater marathon featuring 22 performances
The BITEI 2026 International Festival of Performing Arts is set to return with a new edition from May 21 to 31, under the theme "BITEI - The place where art inspires freedom." This highly anticipated theatrical event will showcase 22 performances, including theater, music, and dance, across various stages in Chisinau. The festival features an impressive lineup of troupes from 11 different countries, making it an exciting marathon of artistic expression.
During a press conference, Petru Vutcărău, the director of BITEI and the Eugene Ionesco Theatre, emphasized the importance of art in creating a better world. This year, the festival will open with a premiere by the Eugene Ionesco troupe titled "The Murder of Gonzago," which is inspired by the renowned Shakespearean tragedy, "Hamlet."
Petru Vutcărău stated, "We are maintaining the tradition that has developed over the years, which is that BITEI opens with a premiere from the host theatre, the Eugene Ionesco Theatre."
After each performance every evening, "until two in the morning," the "Eugene Ionesco" Theater will host the BITEI Festival Club. This space is dedicated to sharing experiences and engaging in debates about performance. The evening of May 23 will feature a special theme, celebrating 30 years of collaboration and partnership between the "Eugene Ionesco" Theater and theater, music, and dance companies from Japan. This year, four groups from Japan will visit Chișinău.
“In the lobby—though I won’t reveal too much, as I want it to be a surprise for you too—the theater's lobby will be decorated in a Japanese style to some extent. We will have an ikebana exhibition and special guests from Japan,” the festival director noted.
Petru Hadârcă, director of the “Mihai Eminescu” National Theatre, a partner of BITEI, praised the courage of the “Eugene Ionesco” Theater for “breaking the glacier of censorship” and for representing the country with dignity at international festivals. He emphasized that the Eugene Ionesco International Theatre Biennial is now “the cultural ambassador of the theatre movement in the Republic of Moldova.”
“I am glad that we have the opportunity to watch, learn, and experience what the international theatre movement embodies. We can only become enriched by attending these performances, not just us professionals, but also the audience,” Petru Hadârcă said.
The “A. P. Chekhov” Russian State Drama Theatre is also among the festival’s partners, providing its stage for the troupes participating in BITEI. Director Feodor Gladii mentioned that his institution represents minorities in the Republic of Moldova and follows a European path. He believes that involvement in projects like BITEI and interaction with various theatrical communities support the development and integration of European values.
The director of the Romanian Cultural Institute "Mihai Eminescu" in Chisinau, former Minister of Culture Monica Babuc, highlighted that the 14th edition of the festival features "unprecedented projects, theaters, and ideas." This year, the Institute is supporting the "Regina Maria" Theater troupe from Oradea, Romania, which will perform Henrik Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People," directed by Radu Iacoban.
"We are living in complicated times that threaten freedom. Additionally, the conflicts in the Gulf are affecting the economy, which in turn is having a painful impact on culture. Therefore, everything we manage to achieve—starting with this festival—is an extraordinary accomplishment of the Ministry of Culture. I understand how challenging it is, as well as the efforts of the "Eugene Ionesco" Theater and the Romanian Cultural Institute, which has successfully brought a theater from the other side of the Romanian border. This should not be overlooked given today’s circumstances," said Monica Babuc.
She also said that Romanian theater is highly responsive to the messages of BITEI and to the invitation of the "Eugene Ionesco" Theater. Notable attendees this year include actress Maia Morgenstern, the Jewish State Theater, the "Fani Tardini" Theater from Galați, and the Theater "Mihai Eminescu" from Botoșani.
At the same conference, Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan declared that BITEI is a "notable" event. He described the range of performances as "very large, interesting, and unique." He encouraged the public to take advantage of the performances, stating that such a rich theatrical agenda may not be available again for the next two years.
"We at the ministry fully support this festival, and I am pleased to see so many important names involved, which demonstrates that a festival is not just a showcase for a theater but a close collaboration among the media, businesspeople, and, of course, theater," the minister added.
BITEI is held every two years. Its inaugural edition took place in 1994 and was dedicated to the dramaturgy of Eugene Ionesco. In 2014, the Government of the Republic of Moldova granted the festival official status as an "International Festival of Performing Arts," recognizing it as a cultural event of national importance.
