Artists from 11 countries to participate in BITEI 2026 International Performing Arts Festival in Chișinău, May 21–31

Artists from 11 countries will take part in the 14th edition of BITEI 2026 International Performing Arts Festival, which will be held in the Republic of Moldova from May 21 to 31 under the motto “The place where art inspires freedom”.

The event will bring together artist groups from Japan, South Korea, Georgia, Ukraine, Turkey, Azerbaijan, France, Spain, Romania, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Republic of Moldova. From Tokyo to Paris, from Seoul to Baku and Kyiv, artists are meeting in Chișinău at BITEI 2026. For eleven days, Chișinău becomes a meeting point for artists from around the world, engaged in a vivid and spectacular cultural dialogue.

The hosts of the BITEI festival will be the National Theatre “Eugene Ionesco,” which is the main organizer, the National Theatre “Mihai Eminescu” and the State Russian Drama Theatre “A.P. Chekhov,” as well as Artcor, acting as event partners. 

Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan said at a press conference today that the Festival is a remarkable and unique event for the Republic of Moldova.

“It will be a true cultural marathon at the end of spring. We will enjoy 22 outstanding cultural events, a remarkable event, unique in the Republic of Moldova. I am sure we will have a festival at the highest level. I urge art lovers to reserve their seats for the Festival’s events, because it is an experience you cannot get anywhere else,” emphasized Cristian Jardan.

Artistic director of the National Theatre “Eugene Ionesco” Petru Vutcărău, BITEI director-general stressed that the artists participating in the Festival will present to the Chișinău audience 22 performances of theatre, music, and dance. The festival trophy, “The Golden Eye,” representing the goddess of the performing arts, will be awarded to each participating company.

“For 11 days, eleven countries, including the Republic of Moldova, will take part in the festival. BITEI opens with a premiere by the host theatre, namely the ‘Eugene Ionesco’ Theatre. We will have 22 performances of theatre, music, and dance during the festival,” explained Petru Vutcărău.

Monica Babuc, director of the Romanian Cultural Centre “Mihai Eminescu” in Chișinău, stated that BITEI represents for theatre lovers an entirely different approach to the dramatic arts.

“The festival, now at its 14th edition, brings together projects, theatres, and original ideas. The Romanian Cultural Institute is honored to be part of this extraordinary celebration of the arts. Congratulations on the achievement of bringing together such ensembles, in such a variety of arts, and on the ability to mobilize all the important drama stages in Chișinău for this festival. We invite art lovers not to miss this cultural event,” added Monica Babuc.

The event also marks 30 years of collaboration with Japan. The strong presence of Japanese theatre in this edition celebrates three decades of uninterrupted artistic cooperation between the National Theatre “Eugene Ionesco” and theatre, music, and dance companies from Japan.