Triumph, Cheers and Mid-Performance Applause for TNRS in Egypt

Mid-performance applause, cheers and international recognition crowned the tour of the “Radu Stanca” National Theatre in Sibiu (TNRS) at the 11th Sharm El-Sheikh International Theater Festival for Youth (SITFY). From 1 to 5 November 2026, Romanian theatre and music took centre stage at the Egyptian festival, where Romania was the Guest of Honour. Under the artistic coordination of Constantin Chiriac, the Romanian programme brought together performances, concerts, a masterclass, workshops and professional meetings, marking 120 years of diplomatic relations between Romania and Egypt.

From the tribute to actress Diana Lazăr at the opening ceremony to the concerts by the Iza Group, from encounters with young artists to the applause that followed every scene of “Puzzle”, Romania’s participation brought to Sharm el-Sheikh the emotion and power of a culture that resonates beyond borders. The “Emad AlShanfari” Special Jury Award presented to “Puzzle” crowned a tour in which art became an occasion for celebration and for strengthening ties between Romania and Egypt.

The programme opened on 1 November with a moment of recognition for Romanian theatre: actress Diana Lazăr was among the international theatre personalities honoured and presented with awards at the opening ceremony. That same evening, the Iza Group brought the richness and vitality of traditional Romanian music to an international audience.

On 2 November, Constantin Chiriac, General Director of TNRS and President of the Sibiu International Theatre Festival, delivered a masterclass as part of a programme that brought artistic experience into dialogue with the aspirations of new generations of artists. The SYFT Open Market also opened that day, while Andrada Oltean led a workshop on 2, 3 and 4 November.

One of the highlights of the tour was “Puzzle”, directed by Ianoș Petrașcu, a co-production of TNRS and the “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu. Presented on 3 November at the Sharm el-Sheikh Culture Palace, the production was greeted with enthusiasm that could be heard throughout the performance: after every scene, the audience burst into applause. Cheers and spontaneous applause during the performance turned the encounter with the audience into a celebration of theatre. Receiving the “Emad AlShanfari” Special Jury Award, “Puzzle” earned the international jury’s recognition alongside the audience’s acclaim.

On 4 November, the programme included the “Romanian Theatre Celebration Panel” symposium, dedicated to Romanian theatre, with Associate Professor Claudia Maior, PhD, and Associate Professor Luminița Bîrsan, PhD, alongside actors Isabela Haiduc and David Cristian.

The screening of “Dincolo de uitare” (Beyond Forgetting), by Cosmin Stănilă, brought a moment of profound emotion to the Romanian programme. With tears in their eyes, Egyptian and international audience members paid tribute to actress Diana Lazăr in a display of admiration that lent particular distinction to TNRS’s participation. The actress also became a focus of television coverage, receiving a flood of interview requests.

On 5 November, the Iza Group’s second concert brought the Romanian programme to a close, once again sharing the sounds and energy of Romania’s musical heritage with the audience.

“Romania’s artistic presence at the Sharm El-Sheikh International Theater Festival for Youth (SITFY) concludes a rich and intensive period of cultural exchanges dedicated to 120 years of diplomatic relations between Romania and Egypt.

2026 began and is ending on the same note: Romania as Guest of Honour at two major initiatives on Egypt’s cultural scene. The year began with the Cairo International Book Fair (January–February) and now draws to a close with SITFY (November). Viewed together, these two moments bring this journey beautifully full circle, reflecting the continuity and visibility of Romania’s cultural presence in Egypt and reaffirming the dynamism and growing closeness between the two cultural spheres.

Romania’s presence as Guest of Honour at SITFY was marked by a reception hosted by the Romanian Embassy in Cairo, an event that also launched the series of celebrations dedicated to Romania’s National Day in Egypt.

The reception brought together leading figures from Egypt’s theatre and cultural scene, representatives of the management of the ‘Radu Stanca’ National Theatre in Sibiu, and Romanian and Egyptian friends and partners. It was an evening dedicated to artistic excellence, cultural dialogue and the ever-closer ties between Romania and Egypt.

Romania’s participation in SITFY as Guest of Honour demonstrates that, once established, human and cultural ties are fruitful and enduring almost by definition. The Embassy reaffirms its commitment to continuing its involvement in launching and supporting all bilateral cultural projects that successfully build on 120 years of friendship between Romania and Egypt,” said Her Excellency Olivia Toderean, Ambassador of Romania to the Arab Republic of Egypt.

“In Sharm el-Sheikh, we experienced the joy of a true triumph for Romanian art. The applause during performances, the cheers and the warmth of our reception gave this participation an emotional significance that we will carry with us for a long time. We created a programme that would bring the power of Romanian theatre and music to the public, and the response showed us how profoundly art can bring people together. Romania was the Guest of Honour in a year when we celebrate 120 years of diplomatic relations with Egypt, and through our encounter with the audience, this anniversary became a living celebration. We return to Sibiu with the joy of this achievement and the confidence that the ties forged here will give rise to new joint projects,” said Constantin Chiriac, General Director of the “Radu Stanca” National Theatre in Sibiu and President of the Sibiu International Theatre Festival.

The participation of the “Radu Stanca” National Theatre in Sibiu was organised in partnership with the Romanian Embassy in the Arab Republic of Egypt, with the involvement of Her Excellency Olivia Toderean.