The World Congress of the International Association of Theatre Critics is one of the most important global platforms for meeting and reflection dedicated to theatre criticism. Held every two years, the congress brings together critics, researchers, and theatre professionals from around the world, offering a space for dialogue, exchange of ideas, and critical analysis of contemporary theatre.
At the core of the congress are both critical debate and the community dimension of the profession: the General Assembly of the organization, international conferences, and workshops for young critics create a framework in which experience and new perspectives intersect. The theme of the 2026 edition, “Is Shakespeare Still Our Contemporary? Rethinking the Bard in a World He Never Imagined,” proposes a reflection on how Shakespeare’s work continues to be reinterpreted and renegotiated in today’s world.
The presence of the congress within the International Shakespeare Festival Craiova integrates this critical dimension into a vibrant artistic ecosystem, where performances, ideas, and dialogue unfold simultaneously. In this context, the congress becomes not only a space for analysis, but also one for direct observation and exchange between practice and theory, contributing to an international framework for thinking about contemporary theatre.
More than two decades after the last edition hosted in Romania, the World Congress of AICT/IATC returns to Craiova, reaffirming the festival’s role as a meeting platform for artists, critics, and ideas from around the world, while strengthening the academic dimension of the programme.
The congress is organized by AICT.Ro in partnership with the International Shakespeare Festival, the National Theatre “Marin Sorescu” Craiova, the Craiova City Hall, and the Ministry of Culture.
