The Tbilisi International Festival of Theatre was established to promote the capital of Georgia, its culture and unique atmosphere. Its main goals are to enrich the cultural life of Tbilisi and Georgia with the best works of contemporary theatre and to promote Georgian theatre. Although the festival was established by the Municipality of Tbilisi, it is an independent organization. The president and the festival board are in charge of the festival policy and the program.
The program of the Tbilisi International Festival of Theatre is divided into several sections. The International Program is at the heart of the festival. It features companies from around the world. The participants are found through different sources: recommendations from the festival partners, theatre critics and the festival board, other theatre festivals, theatre awards, press releases, etc. The festival focuses on innovative productions that push the boundaries of contemporary theatre.
Another important section is the Georgian Showcase Program. It aims to promote contemporary Georgian theatre and plays. The program features Georgian pays staged by theatre companies from different countries, from Russia to the United Kingdom. Of course, many Georgian companies participate in the program, too.
In 2011, the festival board introduced a competitive international program entitled NEW. The competition is open to up-and-coming, small-budget theatre companies and street artists. The NEW program was inspired by the famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Festival OFF d'Avignon.
Alongside these three sections, the program of the Tbilisi International Festival of Theatre includes international conferences and symposiums for theatre critics, workshops and seminars, exhibitions, and other events and activities for both theatre-goers and theatre professionals.
Photo: tbilisiinternational.com
