The International Shakespeare Festival, organised by the 'Marin Sorescu' National Theatre and the Shakespeare Foundation, opened on Thursday evening in Craiova with a series of events dedicated to Japan, marking the start of the 21- 31 May edition.

Speaking at the official opening, Japan's ambassador to Romania, Takashi Katae, said that the festival confirms its role as a major platform for cultural dialogue between the two countries, and underlined that, in the bilateral relationship, culture and people-to-people exchanges remain 'one of the central pillars of Romanian-Japanese cooperation'.

'This festival gives concrete substance to our commitment,' the ambassador said, highlighting how artistic collaborations between the two countries strengthen mutual understanding and bring the two cultural communities closer.

The diplomat noted the constant presence of Japanese artists in Craiova over the past two decades, through classical and contemporary theatre, dance, music and performance. The festival, he said, has become a space where the universality of Shakespeare's work enables encounters between different cultures.

He also pointed to this year's Japanese participation, including choreographer Saburo Teshigawara and the alternative band Gezan, inviting audiences to explore the diversity of Japan's contemporary performing arts.

Recalling his experience at previous editions, the ambassador mentioned the impact of several Romanian-Japanese collaborations, including the Yamamoto Noh Theater's Richard II and Silviu Purcarete's staging of Marin Sorescu's Iona in Japan. 'The festival has become for me a window into Romanian creative energy,' he added.

Festival founder Emil Boroghina said the event 'was born in 1994 out of love for Craiova and its people', who welcomed the theatre company warmly after international tours. He recalled that the announcement of the first edition was made in Tokyo, at a Shakespeare festival attended by the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre of London and the Royal Dramatic Theatre of Stockholm.

The opening was attended by Culture Minister Demeter András István, Craiova mayor Olguta Vasilescu, and local officials.

According to the organisers, the 2026 edition brings to the forefront the Shakespeare Squares and Shakespeare Metropolitan sections, designed to take performances out of traditional venues and into public squares, neighbourhoods, metropolitan localities and unconventional spaces, with free access for audiences.

The festival theme - 'WILL matters' - expands the event as an urban and community experience, broadening Craiova's cultural map and bringing the performing arts closer to the general public.

Under the Shakespeare Squares section, performances will take place in William Shakespeare Square, Mihai Viteazul Square, Fratii Buzesti Square, and at Casa Baniei. The program features international theatre productions, itinerant installations, music and interactive shows by artists and companies from Austria, the UK, Italy and Argentina.

Highlights include Austria's Flare Performance with 'Dance of the Flying Fire' and 'Circurios'; the UK's Autin Dance Theatre with 'Out of the Deep Blue'; and 'Ganda - the Rhinoceros', a street performance by Italy's Teatro delle Isole. Casa Baniei will host Shakespeare-inspired productions directed by Anca Sigartau, including Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew and The Merchant of Venice.

The Shakespeare Metropolitan section will take the festival into the neighbourhoods of Craiova, with pop-up shows, children's workshops and artistic interventions by Romanian and international performers, as well as more than 160 Erasmus+ Shakespeare students.

The Shakespeare Metropolitan Caravan will travel between May 23 and 31 to Pielesti, Malu Mare, Podari, Bucovat, Breasta, Isalnita, Simnicu de Sus, Mischii and Ghercesti, offering interactive workshops, recitals and comedy shows with free access.

Another major hub of the festival will be Promenada Mall Craiova, hosting more than 30 shows and events for all ages - from puppetry and magic to acrobatics, exhibitions and multimedia installations. The venue will also stage the premiere of 'Bubu Dreams', a production of the Bucharest Comic Opera for Children for audiences aged 0 - 3.

Festival-goers will also be able to visit the multimedia installation Shakespeare Dimensions, inspired by The Tempest, and the Shakespeare Teen installation, created with the participation of over 1,000 students from 52 schools in Dolj County.

The full program of the International Shakespeare Festival Craiova 2026 is available on the event's official website. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Maria Mitrica; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)