Shakespeare Festival kicks off in Chișinău, Moldova
The Moldovan capital, Chișinău, is hosting the second International Shakespeare Festival, temporarily becoming the capital of European theatre.
The event, organised by the 'Fără Nume' Theatre ('Without a Name' Theatre), opened with A Midsummer Night's Dream and is set to bring directors and actors from Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom—the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
'We are embarking on a very ambitious and important event for Moldovan culture and for Southeast Europe,' said Nicu Țărnă, director of the Fără Nume Theatre, adding it was the country's first Shakespeare International Festival.
For more than six months, the festival coordinator has been building contacts with the participants.
‘We have tried to bring theatres from all corners of Europe, to unite Europe on the theatre stage. Different styles, different directorial visions. We have choreography from Italy, we have classical theatre from Spain, and we have interactive and somewhat experimental theatre from the UK,' mentioned Alina Guțu, the festival coordinator.
The idea for the festival came from director Mihai Țărnă.
'We are living in a complicated and sometimes uncertain present, which is why we are defining this time through this festival,' said Mr Țărnă, the festival director.
'We are delighted the Chișinău festival is part of the network of European Shakespeare festivals, and its motto, 'NOW', is what unites them all,' said Philip Parr, director of the UK's Shakespeare Festival.
Theatre critics from several countries will participate, highlighting the enduring relevance of Shakespeare's work.
'It goes without saying that a performance of this kind is relevant – one that talks about seven countries, all the countries in Europe, and explores how one moves from one to another, how battles are lost, how territories are gained, how nations die, how other nations are born. The programme includes performances of Macbeth and Othello; all of them speak about war,' said Nicoleta Cinpoeș, a professor of Shakespeare Studies at Worcester University.
The 'United Shakespeare' International Festival is organised by the 'Fără Nume' Theatre with support from the Ministry of Culture in the capital. The festival runs from 14–19 October.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
