The 8th edition of the INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS IN CLUJ, organized by the National Theatre of Cluj-Napoca in partnership with the Conexio Association, takes place this year between 9-14 October.
This year's topic Visions offers theatre lovers a panoramic view upon the Romanian spirituality through selected adaptations and dramatizations of works written by Romanian writers from the 19th century to this day, as it should be in our historical moment that marks the Centenary of the Great Union and the establishment of modern Romania.
The event provides you the chance to witness the staging in new, original visions of major themes like the drama of the artist and the myth of the founding sacrifice - Master Manole after Lucian Blaga, directed by Andrei Măjeri, the refinement and the decadence of the early 20th century Romanian society - Gallants of the Old Court by Mateiu Caragiale, directed by Răzvan Mureșan, or the destiny of people that become a nation - The Gypsies' Camp after Ion-Budai Deleanu, directed by Alexandru Dabija. Contemporary playwriting is also presented in this festival through visions of Romania's recent history. Thus, the "Euphorion" Studio will host Matei Vișniec's On the Sensation of Resilience when Treading on Dead Bodies directed by Răzvan Mureșan, the Creation and Experiment Reactor - Alexa Băcanu's M.I.S.A.NDERSTANDING and Petro Ionescu's The Cluj Miracle, while the Studio of the Hungarian State Theatre - Adrian Sitaru and Alina Grigore's Illegitimate, directed by Adrian Sitaru. These dramatic stories of Romanian society are joined by the full-of-colour, touching individual histories of the Love Stories at First Sight, authored by the great writers of our culture Gabriel Liiceanu, Ana Blandiana, Adriana Bittel, Radu Paraschivescu, Ioana Pârvulescu, and adapted for stage by Tudor Lucanu.
Other performances, produced by the National Theatre of Cluj-Napoca, but also by the guest Hungarian State Theatre and the National Theatre of Timișoara, enlarge the Romanian pespectives with topics that situate our society in a European context: the theme of gold-diggers and forms without content (Molière's The Bourgeois Gentleman), the theme of loneliness and powerlessness, of isolation and marginalization (Sławomir Mrożek's Emigrants and Matei Vișniec's Old Clown Wanted), the themes of death, transcendence and facing the past through the strength of love (Jon Fosse's Rambuku).
The Centenary Year celebrates the whole of Romanian culture. For this reason, we invited several prominent figures, ready to have a dialogue with all those present, and with directors of the performances produced at the National Theatre. We'll be honored to welcome Mss. Ana Blandiana, Adriana Bittel, Ioana Pârvulescu, Diana Rufolo, Anca Măniuțiu, and Ms. Mircea Cărtărescu, Andrei Oișteanu, Sorin Alexandrescu, Matei Vișniec, Ion Caramitru, Ion Pop, Radu Paraschivescu and Ioan Pop-Curșeu.
The event, organized by the National Theatre of Cluj-Napoca in partnership with the Conexio Association, is supported by the City Hall and the Local Council of Cluj-Napoca, the Ministry of Culture and National Identity, and the Theatre Union of Romania (UNITER).
The program of the event can be found here.
