Kuranosuke Sasaki: “I’ve already finalized three collaborations with Silviu Purcărete, Radu Stanca National Theatre and Tokyo Metropolitan. I can honestly say our bond has grown both stronger and gentler in our hearts.”
On Friday, the Hall of Mirrors hosted two special conferences that drew a large audience. Renowned Japanese actor Kuranosuke Sasaki—who performed two performances of Iona, directed by Silviu Purcărete—spoke about his collaborative projects and the experiences that have shaped his artistic journey.
“I’ve already done three projects with Silviu Purcărete, Radu Stanca National Theatre and Tokyo Metropolitan. I can honestly say our bond has grown both stronger and gentler in our hearts,” Sasaki reflected.
Celebrated director Radu Afrim, presenting Herbarium and Trilogy of Memories at this year’s festival, then discussed his career path and current season’s productions. Both sessions were expertly moderated by Octavian Saiu, President of the International Association of Theatre Leaders (IATL) and cultural & academic consultant.
In a lighter vein, Silviu Purcărete’s co-production Tertium (non) datur—a collaboration between Odeon Theatre and Bistrița’s George Coșbuc Cultural Center—delighted audiences at the Ion Besoiu Cultural Center with its humor.
At Fabrica de Cultură, Radu Afrim’s Trilogy of Memories—which also marks his debut as a scenographer and carries two UNITER Award nominations—filled the venue.
Another sell-out hit, It’s Only the End of the World (directed by Eugen Jebeleanu for the Radu Stanca National Theatre Sibiu), transformed the unconventional setting of Promenada Mall Sibiu into a space of intense drama.
Friday also saw the opening of “Hands that Hold the Silence,” an exhibition by photographer Andreea Macri, initiated by UniCredit Bank. The series spotlights the backstage heroes of FITS—wardrobe assistants, stitchers, set builders, stagehands, sound and light operators, painters, set sculptors, technical directors, and more—whose names and faces now grace displays in Huet Square.
“In keeping with this year’s theme, THANK YOU, our partners at UniCredit Bank have conceived this wonderful campaign to honor those working behind the scenes—those whose efforts make every performance possible but who seldom receive recognition. I’m proud that TNRS and FITS are launching what I hope becomes a broader movement of appreciation in every artistic institution—because these people deserve our gratitude,” said Constantin Chiriac, President of FITS and General Director of TNRS.
“Consultations poétiques” resumed this year in Huet Square—a trilogy of site‐specific performances by Théâtre de la Ville, Teatro della Toscana, and Radu Stanca National Theatre Sibiu—featuring artists Arina Ioana Trif, Cristina Ragos, Iustinian Turcu, Mariana Mihu Plier, Ștefan Tunsoiu, Veronica Arizancu, Marik Renner, and Johanna White.
Due to unexpected weather, the screening of Lost in Translation moved to CineGold at Promenada Mall Sibiu. Film critic Radu Toderici introduced the Oscar-nominated 2004 feature and discussed its significance.
The evening concluded in Piața Mare with Pamporea—a vibrant live concert by Pindu, blending Aromanian and Balkan folk traditions into a dynamic musical and choreographic celebration.