The “Marin Sorescu” National Theatre in Craiova and the Shakespeare Foundation, organizers of the International Shakespeare Festival (FISC), are launching a major cultural and educational initiative: “Shakespeare Caravan – Everywhere.” Starting April 23rd and running until September 14th, 2025, the caravan will travel the country for 22 weeks, stopping in 61 locations, from large cities to villages, to bring the magic of Shakespeare’s work closer to the general public. The project is funded by the Ministry of Culture and supported by NEPI Rockcastle as the main sponsor.
This expanded edition of the caravan, a follow-up to the 2024 pilot project, aims to transform unconventional public spaces – squares, streets – into vibrant theatre stages. Three specially equipped utility vehicles, a mobile stage, and a team of 10 artists will travel from Craiova to offer the public a modern, accessible, and free introduction to the universe of the Bard.
A Varied Program for All Ages
Each stop of the caravan will include a diverse program designed to attract both adults and young people. Audiences can participate in:
- Interactive theatre workshops: Aimed at children and teenagers, these workshops explore classic Shakespearean themes like love, identity, or rivalry through theatre games designed to stimulate creativity, memory, and teamwork.
- The recital “Shakespeare Gallery: Itinerant Sonnets”: An artistic experience highlighting the beauty of Shakespeare’s sonnets in a period setting, promising emotion and refinement.
- The comedy show “Shakespeare abridged”: Inspired by “The Complete Works of WLM. SHKSPR” (by Jess Borgeson, Adam Long, and Daniel Singer), the show is a fast-paced and humorous satire of the most famous Shakespearean plays, from “Romeo and Juliet” and “Othello” to “Julius Caesar” or “Richard III.”
The organizers emphasize the project’s mission: “The Shakespeare Caravan – Everywhere encourages and promotes participation in theatre performances, including in areas where theatre infrastructure is limited or non-existent, and contributes to intensifying theatre education nationwide.” The initiative leverages the cultural legacy of the International Shakespeare Festival in Craiova, recognized for over 30 years as one of the most important events of its kind globally.
The project is supported by significant partners, including Unicredit Bank, 5 to go, UNATC “I.L.Caragiale,” and media partners such as TVR and Radio România.
The complete program and detailed route of the caravan can be found on the official website: http://caravana.shakespearefestival.online/
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