The 29th edition of the Sibiu International Theatre Festival came to an end yesterday. Having started on June 24, the current edition included more than 800 proposals in the program, more than 3500 participants who arrived in Sibiu from 75 countries and took part in events organized in 80 locations. The theme of this edition was BEAUTY!
Magic and excitement engulfed the entire city and its surroundings during the ten days, and the joy of re-encountering the performing arts was matched only by the beauty that thousands of artists shared with the public by means of their art. From calculations at this moment, it is estimated that the daily average of FITS participants was 85,000 people. Exhibitions of the most varied kinds, a sky of magnets and a Horizontal Newspaper, a totem to Frumiria, various installations, from the Large Square to the Promenada Mall, studded the city with creativity, and could be admired at any time of the day and night throughout the duration of the Festival!
Dozens of dramatic performances and tens of thousands of spectators, hundreds of minutes of applause and standing ovations, emotions and tears of joy were part of the magic of the event also this year, in various locations, from theatres to squares, streets, the synagogue and in all the other places where the Sibiu community generously hosted us! Dozens of outdoor events with free access delighted the heart and soul of those present in overwhelming numbers in Sibiu these days. Various concerts, theatre, circus, acrobatics and even a puppy artist received enthusiastic applause.
Dozens of special events, conferences and book launches featuring some of the most important professionals in their fields, architects, artists, managers, creators, cultural facilitators, ambassadors, writers, journalists and theatre critics, influencers, decision makers.
"It is the largest edition so far, but also the one that brings us - me and the entire Festival team - the greatest joy and satisfaction so far. I saw people gathered together for art in unfathomable crowds, breathing BEAUTY in unison, I had the opportunity of memorable meetings that will build the premises of future FITS editions that we are already preparing.
Thank you to all our partners, without whom this miracle would not be possible, to the artists who gifted us their grace, to the team, to the community of Sibiu who receives our hugs year after year, and, above all, thank you to His Majesty, the Public! We are waiting for you in Sibiu at FITS2023, between June 23 and July 2, for the 30th edition of the Festival!" - said Constantin Chiriac, President of FITS and Director General of TNRS.
This edition of FITS also showcases impressive numbers in terms of online presence. In an absolute first, based on the partnership with Tik Tok, FITS broadcasted the first dramatic performance, live, for users of this platform, along with four other Festival events. Overall, during the ten days of the Festival, the #magiaFITS hashtag enjoyed over one million views on TikTok, with 150,000 users watching the five broadcasts live.
The FITS mobile app was accessed 10,000 times, and during these ten days the FITS website had more than 70,000 visitors. The seven editions of FITS Talk, another premiere this year, have so far gathered 20,000 views, 50,000 users have seen the messages and videos on the FITS Instagram channel, and 600,000 Romanians have seen the FITS messages on Facebook.
The 30th edition of the Sibiu International Festival will take place between June 23 and July 2, 2023.
See you in Sibiu!