As we try to understand what can be conveyed through theatre in a post-Covid world, plagued by the Russian-Ukrainian war which threatens Romania, Europe, and the internal balance of the entire world, it is interesting to consider The International Meetings of the National Theatre in Cluj, an institution headed by executive director Mihai Măniuțiu and artistic director Ștefana Pop-Curșeu. (...) The main theme of the festival had to do with the multiple IDENTITIES of people today: political, social, sexual, and cultural. The international dimension was ensured by the presence of several Ukrainian playwrights, as well as journalists, writers, translators, critics and other people from the world of theatre, coming from England, USA, Germany, Greece, Italy, Sweden, and the Republic of Moldova. (…) The general enthusiasm and the quality of all productions and conversations were a catalyst for the local community and for those who took part in the festival, arriving in Cluj from various countries and cities. By bringing together different voices and perspectives, The International Meetings of the National Theatre in Cluj managed to encourage empathy with Ukrainian dramaturgy, Romanian dramaturgy, causes such as feminism and sexual emancipation, as well as an interest in the reconsideration and the reevaluation of our past, including the communist period.
Alexandra Ares, Întâlnirile internaționale de la Cluj, ediția a XI-a | Reflecție, empatie și inovație (The International Meetings of the National Theatre in Cluj, the 11th edition / Reflection, empathy and innovation),
in the magazine Rinocerul, October 6th, 2022
After the whirlwind of the pandemic, which had a huge impact on the world of theatre, at the beginning of a new season, the cultural and theatrical life of Cluj begins anew, proving that it can still bring people into the local theatre halls. Moreover, the directors of the “Lucian Blaga” National Theatre of Cluj have managed to organise the 11th edition of The International Meetings of the National Theatre in Cluj between the 28th of September and the 2nd of October 2022. The central theme of this edition had to do with Identities. Creative, cultural identities, which build a bridge – over the pandemic interval – taking us back to an old local tradition. Once again, we become familiar with the main theatrical values of the moment, with the latest innovations in the field of directing and performance. For this five-day festival, the organisers planned performances – the best productions of the National Theatre – as well as conversations with various personalities from the world of theatre, stage readings, special guests, book launches on theatre-related themes.
Adrian Țion, Cehov în era digitală (Chekhov in the Digital Age) ,
The 11th edition of The International Meetings of the National Theatre in Cluj had as its central theme the concept of “Identities”: openness towards the others and, at the same time, individual plurality. A major theme dominated the event from the very start: theatre in wartime, which was reinforced through the presence of four Ukrainian playwrights and came up again and again during the conferences and book launches included in the festival (…) every show was put on by an admirable team of actors who did their work passionately and managed to overcome this difficult period; we could also witness the bold approaches and the solutions found by the directors.
Mirella Patureau, Nopți și zile de teatru la Cluj – din nou împreună (Theatre by Night and Day in Cluj-Napoca – together again),
